Illegally re-entering the U.S. after having been either denied admission, excluded, or ordered removed (deported) is a federal felony offense—and thus carries severe consequences. For starters, someone who is caught having illegally reentered (or tried to) is likely to be placed into immigration detention. If you are currently being detained for illegally reentering the U.S., you'd be wise to contact an immigration attorney immediately.
The penalty for illegally reentering the U.S. without proper permission will sometimes simply involve reinstatement of the previous order of removal and the immediate carrying out of such. In other words, the person could be sent out of the United States with no opportunity for future hearings with an immigration judge.
However, other serious consequences may be imposed, as follows:
In addition to these penalties, you face immigration-related consequences. When a foreign national reenters the U.S. after having been been granted voluntary departure, or after having accrued previous unlawful presence of over 180 days, that person is barred from reentering the U.S. (inadmissible) for a number of years. The only remedy is to get special permission from the U.S. government for readmission.
In determining whether or not someone is subject to reinstatement of a prior order, an immigration officer will:
If a person's identity cannot be confirmed and identity is disputed, an immigration officer is not permitted to reinstate the prior order. Likewise, in determining whether the reentry was unlawful, the immigration officer must consider the evidence relevant to the reentry and attempt to verify any claim that the entry was lawful.
If the immigration officer determines that reinstatement of a prior order is appropriate, the non-citizen must be provided with notice of the determination and of the right to make a statement disputing the findings. If you then submit such a statement, the immigration officer must reconsider the determination whether to reinstate the order—but can still, of course, decide to go ahead and do so.
An immigration officer is not authorized to reinstate a prior removal order for a non-citizen who:
If an application for adjustment of status is granted, the prior order of removal, deportation, or exclusion no longer has any legal effect and is not enforceable. If the application for adjustment, legalization, or asylum is denied in a final decision, the immigration officer may then reinstate the prior order.
To find out whether you might be eligible for one of the remedies described above, seek the advice of an experienced immigration attorney.
Although the law holds that a non-citizen has no right to request relief from removal when a prior removal order is reinstated, all hope is not lost.
If the previous order of removal was rendered "in absentia," because you failed to appear for a hearing in immigration court, you have the legal right to seek to a reopening of your case. The purpose is to give you a chance to explain why you failed to appear and to request any relief available.
It is also possible to have prior removal proceedings reopened in cases where:
If you are currently being detained because of an illegal re-entry into the U.S., it is critical that you consult with an immigration attorney. You are not only facing removal, but a federal felony charge, and a permanent bar to readmission. An immigration attorney will be invaluable to assessing your situation and to determining the best way to proceed based on the particular facts of your case.