# Deportation from LA to Mexico **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 18, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248 "2011-08-18T23:40:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/21 "2011-08-20T04:03:57Z")
I just got off the phone with him. Despite telling him (and me on the phone) that he’d be in Mason TN for three days, they transported him to Louisiana today. He’s spoken to someone there (not sure what type of person because our connection was horrible) who told him they have been offering people a chance to pay a five thousand dollar fine for a six month permit. Work permit? Who knows. But five thousand dollars might as well be five million to us. Eva, I wasn’t sure if I wanted him around our daughter, not with the way he’s been drinking lately. And there has been very little work even in the summer, a time where he usually makes enough to get us through the winter time. Of course he’s promised to stop drinking, but isn’t that what they always say? I don’t really know what I want, but if I had that money in my pocket I’d send it. I don’t want to see him suffer and I know he wants to live here. If he could do it legally that would be all the better. They gave him a list of local immigration attorneys but he was just able to get to the phone this late at night, at almost 11 p.m. He says he’ll try tomorrow, but with it being the weekend who knows. They told him he has two weeks at least until he goes before the judge. I told him to not waste money calling me (ten bucks per ten minute call!) and use what he can to contact an attorney there and I’ll do what I can from this end. Maybe with a lawyer they could work something else out that wouldn’t be so expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/22 "2011-08-20T11:52:08Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > He’s spoken to someone there (not sure what type of person because our connection was horrible) who told him they have been offering people a chance to pay a five thousand dollar fine for a six month permit. Work permit? Who knows. But five thousand dollars might as well be five million to us. I’ve never heard of such a thing - that’s crazy. If you get more details on that, I’d love to know. The government filing fee for a work permit is normally [$380.](http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD) And I’ve never heard of a six-month validity period (it’s normally a year except in a few specialized circumstances). Even if you don’t want him around right now until he’s behaving better, if he’s deported, he may not have the option of being around her legally for 10 years, if ever - with his history it’s going to be next to impossible for him to get even a tourist visa, and until your daughter is 21, I can’t think of anyone who is even eligible to petition for him to get a green card, unless he marries a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or unless he has close U.S. citizen or permanent relatives that you haven’t mentioned. At least if he is granted cancellation of removal or some other form of relief, you (and he) have options. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/23 "2011-08-20T14:23:47Z")
Thank you! Last night after I posted that I went looking for more information and couldn’t find a thing about it! Getting a fresh start today making calls. It’s possible someone lied. They’ve been lying to him at every point in this process. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/24 "2011-08-20T22:57:24Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > If he agrees that going back to Mexico is the best idea then all he needs to do is go. They won’t stop him on the way in. > > As far as being deported there by ICE, they may not send him. The law was just changed yesterday, apparently the same day he was sent to their facility. The DWI and possession charges won’t help him, they may disqualify him. But they aren’t considered threats to national security when citizens commit those crimes. It sounds like he has a long work history and children in the country, entry circumstances that were beyond his control as a minor, etc. An immigration judge reviews the details of each case and decides. > > If your goal is for him to legally one day be able to come back then allowing a deportation order to proceed would not be beneficial to that goal. It would be better to get it all squared away now while he has a guaranteed audience with an immigration court and his feet on US soil. Can anyone give me more information on this law? I can’t find a thing about it but I don’t know what to look for. I’ve left messages with attorneys in his area. Guess I shouldn’t expect answers on the weekend! ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/25 "2011-08-21T00:55:51Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > Can anyone give me more information on this law? I can’t find a thing about it but I don’t know what to look for. > > I’ve left messages with attorneys in his area. Guess I shouldn’t expect answers on the weekend! It’s not a new law (I misspoke earlier) its a policy change. They are reviewing each current pending deportation order (about 300,000 of them) and putting all but those involving violent crimes or national security threats on indefinite hold while offering work permits to those who qualify which it sounds like he probably would. When you are able to reach an immigration lawyer, chances are they will be very aware of this change in policy, and what the best course will be based on his specific situation. [Here](http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/19/2366138/obama-administration-amends-deportation.html) is another news story about the announcement. > [@](#): > > As part of the policy change, the Department of Homeland Security intends to review the cases of approximately 300,000 illegal immigrants facing deportation orders. Those without criminal records who are found to be a low priority because they are students, were brought here as children, or have long family ties to the country could be released and granted a work permit. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/26 "2011-08-21T01:34:27Z")
[quote=“Rushgeekgirl, post:21, topic:593248”] He’s spoken to someone there (not sure what type of person because our connection was horrible) who told him they have been offering people a chance to pay a five thousand dollar fine for a six month permit. Work permit? Who knows. But five thousand dollars might as well be five million to us. /QUOTE] Wow, I am terribly sorry to hear your story, the situation sucks. As a whole I think the country should take a very hard stand on illegal immigration, however your story is quite compelling and makes the point that these things should definitely be decided on a case by case basis. The fact that there is a child involved that I am sure wants to have her father in her life makes this even more terrible. I don’t have much advice as I have no experience in this type of issue. But, I can tell you without a doubt that who ever he spoke to is NOT trying to help him and IS trying to relieve him of $5000. The Government doesn’t sell visas or work permits, at least not for that small (in the context of things) of an amount. Make sure that you talk with and only deal with Attorneys or organizations devoted to immigrants. If you are not careful, something tells me that there are a ton of scumbags out there willing to take advantage of someone in a situation like this. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/27 "2011-08-21T03:09:02Z")
Thank you\*\* Crazyhorse!\*\* I don’t have a TV so I miss out on a lot of news. I just got off the phone with him again. He’s upset because he tried to call the Mexican Consulate from the facility but he got a recording saying the number is blocked. That hardly seems fair. I’ll try there Monday myself. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/28 "2011-08-21T03:12:48Z")
**Obbn** , I think he got that information from another person in the facility and not anyone in charge or on the outside. They probably have no idea what they’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/29 "2011-08-21T03:16:19Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > I just got off the phone with him again. He’s upset because he tried to call the Mexican Consulate from the facility but he got a recording saying the number is blocked. That hardly seems fair. > I’ll try there Monday myself. It’s not only unfair, it’s illegal. Foreign nationals have rights under international treaty to assistance from their home country’s consulate. Please tell the Consulate what you have posted here! As far as halting deportations until cases are reviewed one by one, [here’s the text of the White House announcement.](http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/18/immigration-update-maximizing-public-safety-and-better-focusing-resources) It’s not a change in law _per se,_ it’s applying existing laws differently than they have been applied until now in many cases. Nobody knows yet how it’s going to shake out in practical terms. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/30 "2011-08-21T14:33:19Z")
It just occurred to me this morning that he was calling me collect, and I wonder if he was calling them collect too, and maybe they have a collect call block at the consulate. I’m sending him copies of our daughter’s birth certificate and proof of her disability if that matters, and our lease here has his name on it so that would show he’s been living here for several years. I guess I’ll send him a phone card too. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/31 "2011-08-21T14:36:13Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t know all the details but my cousin’s husband was arrested and deported a few months ago and it was seriously fast. He was in Mexico within 2 weeks. > > Sorry I can’t help with any further info. I am really sorry to hear that. I hope he’s okay. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/32 "2011-08-21T15:58:47Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I don’t know all the details but my cousin’s husband was arrested and deported a few months ago and it was seriously fast. He was in Mexico within 2 weeks. > > Sorry I can’t help with any further info. Things are only remaotely likely to happen that fast if a) he isn’t bonded out of detention, and b) he doesn’t object to being deported and/or has no claim to relief form deportation. In Chicago, anyway, a non-detained person who goes for an initial hearing and doesn’t throw in the towel and simply ask to leave, and who asks for a continuance to get an attorney or for any other reason (such as to prepare an application for relief from deportation) is likely to have the next hearing scheduled at least several months out, if not a year or more. In some cases here, hearings are being scheduled as late as 2014. That’s how busy the courts are. Even if he just wants to leave, he can request voluntary departure, which means he agrees to leave on his own within a certain period of time, normally 4 months. As long as he doesn’t have serious criminal convictions (and a DUI may or may not count, and probation on pot possession, I’m not sure about and it may depend on state law), the judge normally grants voluntary departure. Another thing to keep in mind is that people in deportation proceedings are eligible to apply for work authorization (if they are not detained). So if he can be bonded out, you may be able to buy him quite a bit of time. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/33 "2011-08-21T17:07:19Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Well, if he was illegally here, he doesn’t have a right to be here, regardless of the status of some other case. > > I don’t feel a shred of pity for the guy. You pays your money, you takes your chances, you know. Sometimes we catch the illegals and send them back, like we should. If he didn’t want to run the risk of being dumped in Tijuana with no money and no shoes, he shouldn’t have tried to live here illegally. [moderating] This is GQ, **bump**. If you wish to debate immigration policy or complain about illegal immigrants, do it in a different forum. You need to re-read the forum descriptions and keep your comments appropriate for the forum you’re in. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/34 "2011-08-21T19:01:49Z")
Contact the local immigrant rights coalition in the area of the detention facility. They can help you. There are people here in Denver who advocate for detainees and get them letters and things. At the very least, they’ll know the system. Not sure if he’s in your daughter’s life at all or not, but ripping families apart is not good. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/35 "2011-08-21T19:56:44Z")
We were actually together when this happened, **CitizenPained**. I decided to break up with him because I don’t want to live with an alcoholic who takes chances like this. It’s not the first foolish mistake he’s made, he just usually doesn’t get caught and it’s always involving alcohol. I didn’t really care at the time what happened to him I was so angry but now I’m starting to regret it. I don’t want to be with him anymore but I’m hoping he doesn’t get deported, and if he does I’m hoping I can help him safely get to a place where he has some family in Mexico City. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/36 "2011-08-22T16:11:37Z")
BTW [here’s a warning form the American Immigration lawyers Association about what the Administration’s recent policy change does and does not mean.](http://aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=36705) Hope you guys can view it without logging in… ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/37 "2011-08-22T17:59:26Z")
Thank you Eva. I was able to read it. I’ve had two attorneys call and leave messages while I was out wanting me to call back but they’re long distance numbers and I have no long distance service so I’ll have to get a phone card for that when my daughter comes home from work. At least I know now he’s able to contact an attorney. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/38 "2011-08-22T18:09:12Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > **Rushgeekgirl,** if this means what I think it does, it could be HUGE. Your S.O. should get legal assistance - he has potential remedies from deportation because he has been here so long, and because he has a U.S. citizen child (and one with issues, at that). He shouldn’t just agree to leave without knowing his options. > > [Here is a list of free legal services providers.](http://www.justice.gov/eoir/probono/states.htm) Contact them! > > [Here is the website of the Mexican Consulate in New Orleans.](http://portal.sre.gob.mx/nuevaorleans/) It’s in Spanish, but their contact information is: > > 901 Convention Center Blvd. Suite 119, New Orleans, LA. 70130 > > Tel.: 504-272-2198 ext. 100 > > Fax: 504-528-3724 > > They are there to help Mexican citizens, and they often do a great job. They can help him get UID, etc. In fact, Homeland Security will need to contact them in order to prove that your S.O. is a Mexican citizen and can be returned there, so they should know about him soon if they don’t already. Don’t throw away your opportunity to keep him here! PM me if you need more help. > > Eva Luna, Immigration Paralegal So far there is one “free” service provider on that list in LA, Sean Lewis, who says they don’t do anything pro bono. They require 1500 dollars up front to do a detention center visit and consultation with of course no guarantees. This is one who left a message this morning so I wonder if they’ll all tell me the same thing. I don’t know why they’re on that free provider list. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/39 "2011-08-22T18:31:22Z")
[Louisiana State Law school](http://www.law.lsu.edu/index.cfm?geaux=clinicsandexternships.clinics) has an immigration law clinic. Call them and see if they are taking clients right now. The school year would have just started. Their number is: (225) 578-8262. ETA: So does [Loyola University Law School](http://www.loyno.edu/lawclinic/about) (504) 861-5590. In a law clinic, law students represent the client, under direct supervision of an experienced attorney. There is no charge if they take your case. If they can’t help you because they already have all the clients they can handle right now, they may know of other not-for-profit organizations in the area that assist with deportation defense. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248/40 "2011-08-22T19:04:13Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > So far there is one “free” service provider on that list in LA, Sean Lewis, who says they don’t do anything pro bono. They require 1500 dollars up front to do a detention center visit and consultation with of course no guarantees. > This is one who left a message this morning so I wonder if they’ll all tell me the same thing. I don’t know why they’re on that free provider list. Have you talked to Catholic Charities? If they won’t help, they may know other people who will. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deportation-from-la-to-mexico/593248.md?page=3)