Deportation in Texas comes with a set of challenges financially, emotionally, and legally. A person facing deportation might be wondering what their options are and how they can minimize the negative impacts. Voluntary departure is something that some immigrants turn to as a last resort. If a person is considering a voluntary departure, they’ve looked at every other option to stay in the United States to no avail.
What are the benefits of voluntary departure?
There are a lot of reasons why someone would consider a voluntary departure. The biggest benefit is that it doesn’t count as a formal removal order, so there are no fines or bars for re-admission to the United States.
For people who came to the United States with authorization and just need time to get things in order before they try to get back into the country, this can be an attractive option. However, people who came to the country without authorization might still be barred from re-entry even if they voluntarily leave.
What happens with voluntary departure?
Voluntary departure can be granted by the United States for people looking to avoid a formal removal order. If it’s approved, then the person who requested it must leave the United States within the deadline set by the court.
Most people would be required to post a voluntary departure bond of at least $500 to ensure they’ll leave during the allotted time period. People who are leaving the country voluntarily must also pay for their own way out of the country.
The time period depends on when a person files for voluntary departure status. Voluntary departures can be denied by the court of law as well, so it’s important to carefully look over an application for voluntary departure before filing it with the court.
