Many people immigrate to the United States with the best of intentions. However, sometimes an immigrant in Kentucky or elsewhere will have committed a crime and hence will face deportation. However, not every crime committed automatically means mandatory deportation. Unfortunately, the laws surrounding the commission of crimes and deportation can be vague.
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that part of a federal law that mandated that certain immigrants convicted of violent crimes be deported is unconstitutionally vague and therefore is invalid. According to some, this is a groundbreaking ruling, as the previous law resulted in the deportation of thousands of immigrants in a matter that violated their right to due process. Those opposed to the ruling call on Congress to take action to pass specific laws that will close what some believe to be loopholes in the current laws regarding immigrants who commit crimes.
In the end, it is important that immigrants facing deportation and removal do not have their due process rights violated. Immigrants being detained deserve a hearing in which they can plead their case and in which the government must show why deportation is necessary. Unfortunately, some immigrants are deported without ever even being informed that they have these rights. This is a practice that needs to stop.
Many people who immigrate to the U.S. do so in hopes of a better life. However, sometimes mistakes are made, and a person ends up breaking the law. Immigrants should not face deportation and removal based on laws that are vague to the point that they are unconstitutional. It remains to be seen after this recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling whether Congress will act on this issue. Until then, it is important that immigrants understand what their rights are, so they are not unduly violated.
Source: CNN, “SCOTUS nixes part of law requiring deportation of immigrants convicted of some crimes,” Ariane de Vogue and Tal Kopan, April 17, 2018
