Deported back to Nigeria...

[Chicagoguy 2 27]

There is no guarantee that everyone who wants to become a citizen will get the chance. You had all this time for school but let the important things in your life slip by. I believe only an American immigration attorney can help you but you might want a simple opinion before you spend big money with him.

[milimelo 4,257]

Doesn't matter misdemeanor or felony - if it's serious enough they'll get priority deportation.

From CNN today:

Washington (CNN) -- Nearly 400,000 people were deported from the United States in the past fiscal year, the largest number in the history of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the government announced Tuesday.

The year-end removal numbers "underscore the administration's focus on removing individuals ... that fall into priority areas" such as lawbreakers, threats to national security and repeat violators, the agency said in a news release.

Overall in fiscal year 2011, immigration officials said, 396,906 individuals were removed. Of these, 216,698, nearly 55%, had been convicted of felonies or misdemeanors. That's an 89 percent increase of criminals from three years ago, the enforcement agency said.

"This includes 1,119 aliens convicted of homicide; 5,848 aliens convicted of sexual offenses; 44,653 aliens convicted of drug related crimes; and 35,927 aliens convicted of driving under the influence," it said.

The percentage was even higher for some regions. In the sector that covers Houston, Beaumont and Corpus Christi, Texas, about 74% of the 20,450 removals were of people with criminal records, said Gregory Palmore of the agency's Houston office.

"Smart and effective immigration enforcement relies on setting priorities for removal and executing on those priorities," said agency Director John Morton. "These year-end totals indicate that we are making progress, with more convicted criminals, recent border crossers, egregious immigration law violators and immigration fugitives being removed from the country than ever before. Though we still have work to do, this progress is a testament to the hard work and dedication of thousands of ICE agents, officers and attorneys around the country."

The government said 90% of the agency's removals fell into a priority category and more than two-thirds of the other removals in 2011 were either recent border crossers or repeat immigration violators.

The American Civil Liberties Union reacted to the announcement by again criticizing the Obama administration's emphasis on deportations.

"All told, this administration has deported nearly 1.2 million people, leaving a wake of devastation in Latino communities across the nation," Joanne Lin, ACLU legislative counsel, said in a news release. "These record-breaking deportation numbers come at a time when illegal immigration rates have plummeted, the undocumented population has decreased substantially and violent crime rates are at their lowest levels in 40 years."

Lin also said the deportations represent "uncontrolled, unwarranted" spending of taxpayers' money by the Department of Homeland Security, of which the immigration agency is a part.

The department's chief, Secretary Janet Napolitano, last week defended the administration's polices as she gave advance notice that this fiscal year would end with a record number of removals.

"What ... critics will ignore is that while the overall number of individuals removed will exceed prior years, the composition of that number will have fundamentally changed," she said in a speech at American University.

The Department of Homeland Security more than a month ago announced that the government would review about 300,000 deportation cases pending in federal immigration courts. Lower-priority cases -- those not involving individuals considered violent or otherwise dangerous -- would be suspended under the new criteria.

That change drew criticism from the other side of the immigration issue, with some people who favor more deportations characterizing it as a back-door amnesty program aimed at skirting the nation's immigration laws.

Napolitano said the approach is a common-sense way to tackle immigration problems with limited resources.

"There has never been, nor will there be in these tight fiscal times, sufficient resources to remove all of those unlawfully in the country," she said last week. "That is why it is so important to set clear priorities."

[Robert&Karen 264]

I knew an Aussie. He came here with his parents when he was 1. When he was 18 he stole a car and got busted for it, then after he completed his sentence he was free. He became an upstanding citizen and then in his 40's, 45 I think, he got popped for shoplifting. When they ran a background check they saw the age old felony for GTA.

Between when he was 1 and 45 years old, an administrative law was passed to deport convicted felons. Being administrative, it does not allow for grandfathering like changing the speed limit or other criminal definitions.

He was deported to a country he never knew. As far as I know he is still there. He was a really nice guy. NOT a threat, and just did dumb things at 18 which we all do. He just got caught.

I feel for you, I really do.

For this reason I encourage everyone to get their US Citizenship.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If he was an upstanding why was he shoplifting ? I think someone needs to rewrite the definition of upstanding to something other than " he didn't get caught for a really long time" because I will bet that wasn't the first time he comminted a crime in that time.

[Julie y Pat 67]

You've got a tough road ahead of you. I'm pretty sure K1 is able to file an I-601, but in your case, not approvable. Will be low odds of approval even for CR/IR1. But before you even get to the waiver, you must know that you will be dealing with one of the most difficult consulates in the world. Read on these pages long enough and you know that it isn't easy proving a bona fide relationship at Lagos. I'm guessing that even after the ten year ban is up, the crimes will still make you ineligible for a visa, especially if they are drug related. And then for the waiver, even assuming that extreme hardship to the USC can be demonstrated, the aggravating factors may be so much that no amount of hardship will win an approval.

[Robert&Karen 264]

If he was an upstanding why was he shoplifting ? I think someone needs to rewrite the definition of upstanding to something other than " he didn't get caught for a really long time" because I will bet that wasn't the first time he comminted a crime in that time.

He was upstanding because he was a great guy in between events. I could go steal a candy bar tomorrow and throw away my job and life to this point, but I won't. There are plenty of people who are psychotic criminals from Day One, and plenty who just do a stupid thing. The point about the shoplifting is that it got the attention of the police, and then he was deported due to an event decades back. Maybe a traffic ticket would have done the same thing. Until you are a citizen you need to pay VERY low and not get in trouble, you have so much more to lose.

[KittyPollitt 284]

Settle in over in Nigeria. You'll get used to it.

[S_R 148]

There is no way USCIS regional office in ghana will grant Чuя waiver.

I think u should pick yourself up and make the most out of Чuя life.

U have yourself to blame.

[Robert&Karen 264]

You do not mention your age at these events, but if your father became a US citizen before you were 18 years old, and he had sole custody of you at that time, and your mother is not around due to divorce or other reason (as she was not a US citizen I assume), then you have derived citizenship.

This is how I got my US citizenship.

[Richie Rich 70]

Hello All,

Please bear with me, I am new to this. In fact this is my first of such....

My situation is a little different from others I have read here. So much so, that I am not sure where to post it. Since my early teenage years, I have resided in the U.S and have been for the last 11yrs. I went there with my dad and we were able to gain permanent resident. He now has his citizenship, while I relaxed on filing mine. Because I got in some problems with the law and was worried of the effect upon filing for citizenship. My last issue with the law was in 2006 of which after successfully completing all probation, community service etc, the offense was reduced to a Gross Misdemeanor. In April 2011, I was informed of a bench-warrant for my arrest because I didn't show up in court on a case I was fighting, concerning the suspension of my driver's license of which I was not notified. The case was set for a year out, and that contributed to my forgetfulness.

In April 2011, when I was arrested, I was waiting to post bail or go to court for a minor thing but then was informed that ICE (immigration&customs enforcement) had put a hold on me. Long story short, I was told my previous crimes threatened my status in the U.S. Although I had long turned my life for the better and was in school the last 5yrs with a couple degrees under my belt, the Judge failed to listen. I also had a money hungry lawyer and I had very little money so he barely worked for me. I was also informed by people that it did not matter if my crimes were from 30yrs ago. Which is very sad because I believe that people can be willing to change, and I very much so am. Anyway, I took what would come because I did not want to waste away behind bars.

I was deported in June 2011. With a condition not to return for 10yrs. My fiancee is trying to get me back, however we are been told a K1 visa does not apply in my situation. Is this true? We were told we would need an attorney. Is this also correct. I don't have money at the present. Its hard to get a job and the language is difficult for me to grab. I'm been told I must have my degrees accredited to my home country, which also requires money. The life here is not what I am used to and I would like to make something of myself but its proven tough. Please help me with any information possible. I and my fiancee are at a standstill, and she is losing hope. Please help me not lose my love. I am willing to open up about everything and be honest, as it will be for my own good. By the way my Permanent Residence expires in 2013.

You did the Crime --then You have to prepare to do the Time ( 10 yrs Ban) . Learn your lesson --Be a lawful abiding citizen in another man's country .

[Richie Rich 70]

Blackjohnson --You have to prove yourself --Work in Nigeria ( home country) , be a decent and law abiding citizen and maybe marry a girl there and settle down .Forget about the USA (atleast for 10 yrs ) . No Fiancee is willing to wait for that time for such a ''loser''. Sorry buddy .Move on .

[Winning23 25]

I am with the others on the forum. Your situation is really really messed up, and because of your own actions. Coming to USA is a privilege, not a right. Once you have abused this privilege especially, as how u described it, sorry, you need to go back.

[souleymon 27]

Nigeria IS FAMOUS.

Famous for what?anyone can be deported dude

[scotty2009 13]

Nigeria IS FAMOUS.

famous for what?

[AmyWrites 593]

You didn't obey the law of the country who gave you the privilege to immigrate to, you need to go back home.