Immigration Lawyer Warns of Common Mistake Accelerating Deportation: 'The Punishment Is Inadmissibility'

Immigration lawyer Jennifer Ezeigwe is highlighting a critical mistake that can expedite deportation for individuals with pending cases in U.S. immigration courts: failing to update their contact information when they move. This oversight can lead to missed hearing notices and, consequently, deportation orders in absentia.

Ezeigwe explains that thousands of migrants in the U.S. miss their court dates annually because they neglect to inform the relevant authorities of their new addresses. "If you do not do it, notifications will continue to be sent to the previous address and, therefore, you will not receive the notice of appearance for your hearing in court," she stated in an interview with La Noticia. "If you do not appear, you will receive a deportation order in absentia."

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If you do not do it, notifications will continue to be sent to the previous address and, therefore, you will not receive the notice of appearance for your hearing in court. If you do not appear, you will receive a deportation order in absentia.

The consequences extend beyond immediate deportation. Ezeigwe noted that this error carries the "punishment of inadmissibility." This means that if a person leaves the United States and a family member attempts to petition for them, they may be barred from re-entering for five years, with no possibility of a waiver.

To avoid this common pitfall, individuals with pending immigration cases must submit a change of address form to the immigration court within five business days of their move. This requirement also applies if they receive a Notice to Appear with incorrect contact details. The government emphasizes that courts will not update information if it only appears in legal filings or other communications, underscoring the need for formal notification.

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Even brings as punishment inadmissibility.