Drug violations may trigger detention, deportation

On Behalf of | Dec 27, 2021 | Blog, Immigration |

When you live in Texas and are a noncitizen of the United States, certain actions may expose you to potential detention or deportation. Drug use is one such action, and any drug violation has the potential to lead to removal. In some cases, if you undergo deportation due to a drug infraction, you may not ever be able to return to the United States, even if you have children or other family members living here.

According to the Drug Policy Alliance, drug violations are a frequent cause of deportation.

Drug-related deportation statistics

The United States removed more than 250,000 noncitizens between 2007 and 2012 as a result of drug offenses. This means the number of noncitizens deported due to drug issues rose 43% during this span. It is also worth noting that many of these drug-related deportations were for simple marijuana possession. Simple marijuana possession is now the fourth-most-common cause of drug-related deportation in the United States.

Drug-related deportation repercussions

If you undergo deportation back to your nation of origin because of a drug violation, you may find that you no longer have any ties to that country. You may find it difficult to work, find housing or even communicate if language barriers exist. You may also find that you do not have access to health care in your home country. If the United States does not let you return, you may also find that a drug offense separates you from your family and the community you have come to know since living here.

Do not assume that immigration officials are not going to find out about a drug offense. If you face a drug-related charge as a noncitizen, you may want to secure legal representation to help defend yourself against removal.