First, let's begin with the the definition of deportation: "The formal removal of an alien from the United States when the alien has been found removable for violating the immigration laws. Deportation is ordered by an immigration judge without any punishment being imposed or contemplated. Now called Removal, this function is managed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement," according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Reasons for removal proceedings include working without authorization, failing to notify the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency of a change of address, and criminal or terrorist activities.

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Things You'll Need

Internet access

Telephone

Identifying information of the person: name, most recent address, date of birth, and country of citizenship

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Instructions

How the deportation process works and where you can get information

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Step 1. Find out if a Notice to Appear (NTA) has been filed in Immigration Court.

The federal agencies authorized to initiate removal proceedings fall under the Department of Homeland Security. The agencies are the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There are more than fifty Immigration Courts in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must prove that a foreign national has violated the immigration laws. An Immigration Judge must determine that DHS has met their burden of proof.The foreign national has the right to apply for relief from the removal.

DHS starts the process by issuing a Notice to Appear (NTA) and filing the notice with the immigration court. The NTA must include the foreign national's name, alien registration number, country of citizenship, and the allegations or basis for the request for removal. If the Immigration Judge orders the removal, the foreign national has thirty (30) days to appeal the decision. If the person is detained but does not pose a threat to public safety and national security, they may be able to get released on bond while waiting for the removal proceedings.

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Step 2. Contact the immigration detention center.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Headquarters

500 12th St, SW

Washington, DC 20536

ice.gov

The Office of Detention and Removal (DRO) is a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It is their responsibility to identify and arrest illegal aliens, fugitive aliens, and criminal aliens, and to enforce the court orders to remove them from the United States.

Office of Detention and Removal Operations Offices

If you suspect that someone has been detained by immigration authorities, you can contact one of the Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) field offices for the most current information available about detained individuals. A list can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/about/dro/contact.htm.

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Step 3. Request records through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

You can request public records under the USCIS Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) by contacting the office below.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

National Records Center, FOIA/PA Office

P. O. Box 648010

Lee's Summit, MO 64064-8010

Live Assistance: 1-800-375-5283

Fax (816) 350-5785

uscis.foia@dhs.gov

Tags: Customs Enforcement, Immigration Customs, Immigration Customs Enforcement, foreign national