What happens when you get deported back to your country?

Deportation is not a topic many love to discuss. Those who have faced it, have nothing but sad memories to share.

The thought of being deported is not something anyone would like to imagine, but it’s a reality that thousands face every year.

It happens for several reasons. Whether it’s due to visa overstays, breaking immigration laws, or other legal issues, we see people get deported every year.

Read also: What happens if I don’t use my Schengen visa?

Some already have a meaningful life, established themselves and working in the country where they reside, before they get deported back to their country.

Which makes you wonder what happens next for them.

What happens when you get deported back to your country

When you’re deported back to your country, immigration officials will escort you on a flight to your home country if you’re being deported by flight. Upon arrival, local authorities will process your return, which involves questioning, recording your entry, and managing your reintegration.

All that sounds easy on paper but the reality is quite different.

What to expect when you arrive in your home country after deportation?

There are usually not many issues with leaving the deporting country, your bigger challenges often start when you arrive in your home country.

Below is what to expect.

Bans

One of the things you should expect after deportation is a re-entry ban.

Depending on the reason for your deportation, you’ll be barred from re-entering the country that deported you.

The ban can last for several years or even permanently.

Read also: What happens if you stay in the UK after your visa expires?

For example, if you were deported for committing a serious crime, you’ll likely be banned for life.

If your deportation was due to a visa overstay, the ban will be shorter, but you’ll still need to apply for special permission to return.

Here’s the interesting part though; your deportation will be recorded in international immigration databases, which other countries have access to.

Many countries will use it against you when you apply for visas or attempt to enter.

This restriction will severely limit your ability to travel abroad for work, study, or leisure.

Reintegration is often difficult

Most deportees come home with nothing – this makes reintegration into their home country challenging, especially for those who have been away for a long time.

I was part of a team that helped deportees reintegrate years back and it wasn’t an easy job.

Everything was difficult, from reconnecting with their community to finding housing and re-establishing their life.

Most of the deportees left their home country in search of better opportunities, and returning without fulfilling that dream made it harder to adjust.

You’ll struggle to get a good job

Finding employment after deportation is often difficult.

Whatever job you were doing in the country that deported you, will be gone when you’re removed.

Back home, getting another job won’t be easy as well

Employers will hesitate to hire someone with a deportation record.

Read also: How do I anonymously report someone to immigration in Australia?

In some cases, the skills or qualifications you gained abroad will not be recognized locally.

Financially, you’ll be left in a precarious situation.

The loss of income, coupled with the challenges of finding a new job will drain you financially.

Expect to be stigmatized and isolated

Returning home after deportation leads to social stigma – I have witnessed this severally.

Friends, family, and your community will view your return negatively, especially if the reason for your deportation is widely known.

Read also: What happens if you overstay your visa?

You’ll be judged, discriminated against, or socially excluded, which will make it difficult to rebuild your life.

This stigma will also affect your reputation – limiting your opportunities in both personal and professional circles.

It can be psychologically challenging

Deportation is a traumatic experience and it leaves many psychologically down.

The sudden loss of your life abroad, combined with the difficulties of reintegration, will result in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

You’ll be emotionally distressed as you adjust to your new reality, especially if you had strong ties or a stable life in the country that deported you.

Loss of opportunities

When you’re deported, you’ll lose the opportunities you had in the country that deported you.

Whether it’s a job, education, or personal relationships, you’ll leave everything behind.

This is a loss that is always difficult to recover from, especially if those opportunities are not available in your home country.

Additionally, future opportunities will be limited due to the stigma and legal barriers associated with deportation.

It ruins family and relationships

If you have family members abroad, your deportation will strain those relationships.

You’ll be physically separated from your loved ones – which won’t look good for both you and your family.

Read also: Can I withdraw my Canada visa application and reapply?

If your family remains in the deported country, you’ll find it hard to keep in touch and maintain sound relationships.

Visiting them is already a no since you’ll be restricted from travelling to the country.

Rebuilding your life will be challenging

Overall, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face is rebuilding your life from scratch.

Deportation often means starting over in a country where you no longer have strong ties or support systems.

Read also: How does immigration know if you overstay your visa?

You’ll need new employment, housing, and social connections – all, of which will be hard to get.

Dealing with all these legal, financial, and psychological challenges will make rebuilding even harder.

I’ll be frank with you, deportation is stressful and emotionally draining  I’ve witnessed it severally and it feels the same every time.

How do you get deported from a country?

When you face deportation, it starts with a removal order.

Here’s what happens:

1. Receiving the deportation order

The first step in the whole process is receiving a deportation or removal order.

This is a formal notice from immigration authorities stating that you must leave the country.

The notice will include details about why you are being deported, as well as information on your right to appeal the decision.

For example, if you’ve overstayed your visa by a few months, you’ll receive a notice stating that you’ve violated immigration laws and are required to leave within a specific timeframe.

2. Detention

In some cases, the deportee will be detained by immigration authorities until the deportation process is finalized.

Detention can last from a few days to several months, depending on the complexity of your case.

During detention, you’ll have limited and keenly monitored access to communication and legal resources – this makes the whole process even more challenging.

3. You can appeal

If you believe the deportation order is unjust, you have the right to appeal the decision.

To do this, you need legal representation – an immigration lawyer.

The lawyer’s job is to present your case to an immigration judge, who will then decide whether to overturn the deportation order or uphold it.

The appeal takes time and, if it’s unsuccessful, you’ll eventually be deported.

4. Final removal

Once all appeals have been exhausted, or if you choose not to appeal, the final stage of the deportation process is removal.

You will be escorted to the airport by immigration officials and put on a flight back to your home country.

Deportation flights are often prearranged, and you do not have much say in when or how you travel.

You’ll be accompanied by immigration officers until you board the plane, and in some cases, officers will accompany you to your destination.

The entire process is strictly monitored to ensure that you leave the deporting country as per the order.

Can you go back to a country after being deported?

Yes, you can go back to a country after deportation, but that will only happen after you’re done serving the number of years of ban on re-entry which you’ll get when you’re deported.

If you get deported can you go to a different country?

Sure, you can travel to a different country, but your deportation record will affect your visa applications and entry into many countries.

Not every country will allow you to enter with a deportation record.

If you get deported what happens to your money?

Your money will remain yours, but accessing it will be complicated because you’re already out of the country and won’t be allowed to return for a while.

What is the most common reason for deportation?

The most common reason for deportation is violating immigration laws, like overstaying a visa or working without authorization.

Final words

What happens to deportees and what they face after deportation isn’t getting the attention it needs.

Although, we have programs like “Crossing South“, which cater to people returning to countries like México, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Read also: What happens after my visa is approved?

Mos needs to be done – Understandably, some deportees committed terrible crimes before they were deported but, everyone deserves a second chance.