Deportation: What To Do If You Are Worried According To The Experts #CP

The fear of being deported is ubiquitous among immigrant communities, and nowhere is this more evident than in the current political climate. Anyone without complete documentation or who comes into contact with the criminal justice system faces expulsion, and families can and are often separated. 

For someone from an immigrant background, there is nothing more frightening than a court summons to discuss your status.  If this is happening to you or someone you care about, there are a few important steps you must take, which we will discuss in this blog post.

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1. Find out what your rights are

Every person in the United Kingdom, whether a legal resident or in the immigration system, has certain fundamental rights, one of which is the right to remain silent. If you are taken into custody, do not answer any questions until you have spoken with a professional who knows and understands the situation. Just search for an ' immigration lawyer near me' and get someone to come to you as soon as possible. 

2. Don’t sign anything that you do not understand

Do not sign any documents unless you have spoken with a solicitor, especially if you do not fully understand the context or the conditions. You have the right to seek clarification from your solicitor or someone who can understand it before signing anything. You can also ask for a translator if it is in a different language to the one you speak. 

3. Make sure you have a solicitor on your side

This is something you should have in place as soon as you suspect there will be legal action. You want a solicitor with experience in this area of law and a good reputation. Ask a few questions about recommendations from family, friends, and coworkers who have gone through the process, and look for reviews on social media. Be wary of any solicitors who promise a specific outcome; this is up to the courts on the day, so no one should say with certainty anything. If they are, this can be a sign that something is not quite right. Be aware that, as in any profession, there will be the occasional solicitor who twists the rules a little or participates in backdoor deals to achieve a specific result - avoid them like the plague. You will be the one in trouble at the end of the day.

4. Don’t panic

It is much easier said than done, but if you get worked up and stressed, it is not going to help you at all. In fact, it can go against you. When you are agitated, you can end up saying or doing something wrong, and bang goes your chances. Stay calm, have a professional with you at all times, plan what you are going to say and do, and above all else, remain honest and transparent. No one can ever guarantee the outcome, but it is much more likely to be favourable if you show that you are calm and abiding by the laws.