Most people understand that being convicted of certain crimes can lead to deportation. However, it may come as a surprise to some to realize that by cooperating with officials to help obtain a conviction, one may be able to avoid deportation. With the help of advocates and a judge willing to reopen a case, a Mexican woman may now be able to avoid deportation. Anyone in Maryland who fears deportation and is involved in any kind of court case may be interested in her plight.
The 32-year-old Mexican mother of two American children has been living in a church as a means of avoiding deportation. At some point after coming to the United States, she was the victim of a sexual assault. She helped in the investigation, which led to a conviction in the case. Under certain circumstances, this could make her eligible for a type of visa that would be valid for three years.
The reason she has not already gotten the visa is reportedly because a public official has not verified the facts. The motion to reopen her case was granted and most involved think she will be successful in gaining a visa. The visa in question can take roughly four months to be granted.
The issue of visas for those who cooperate with law enforcement can be complicated and leave immigrants unsure of where they stand or may stand after a case is resolved. It is important for any Maryland immigrant facing deportation to understand current immigration laws and how those laws may affect his or her case. The laws pertaining to visas and deportation may change over time, meaning that it is vital to rely upon a source of legal information that is as current as possible.
Source: chicagosuntimes.com, “Immigrant living in church gets second chance to avoid deportation”, Mitch Dudek, Nov. 2, 2014