Just a question out of curiosity. I have a friend living in my (1/2 the year) town in Guatemala. He was deported for drug offenses a few years back. We actually lived int he same city in the US but didn't know each other. English is his first language (his Spanish is maybe 60-70%). But, his parents were illegal and he was, too. They never tried for citizenship. So, my friend who is now sober, speaks iffy Spanish, has his entire leg tattooed as an American flag now lives in a country he doesn't even remember. Drugs. No violence. Do you think he should have been deported? No judgement on you, just curious as to your thinking after the previous statement.
For honesty, he was convicted 3 times for possession, and once for distribution. 3 times for pot, once for meth.
I may have to continue my answer later, I'm expecting a guest soon.
Off the top of my head - I am not in favor of
seeking people out for smaller drug offenses, if that is what his were. It isn't practical.
If he was caught dealing then yes, he should be deported
at that time, especially with priors of any kind.
It doesn't matter how he lives now, at the time he was a drug dealer and broke the law. If I went to another country and did that I would expect to pay the price.
To answer a possible follow up question - US citizens are also returned to their country after release from prison.
I am fine with ignoring/helping otherwise law abiding illegals stay on a case by case basis. Career criminals though, gang bangers and
pretty much anyone caught breaking the law can leave.
Who can stay and who cannot - I would like to consider this a bit more, as I'm typing this in a rush. For now, convince us we should let you stay.
Full honesty from me:
I sponsored someone who immigrated from Brazil. We paid a small attorney fee ($1200 I think), she was educated and a law abiding citizen of Brazil and a productive immigrant here.
Did medical screening, went to all the right government offices.
I was also financially responsible for her, basically forever. If she ever went on welfare I would have to pay it all, unless she became a citizen. She is now a citizen (whew!).
Again, I'm more concerned with stopping the flow of illegals. Actively finding the most dangerous of them, I'm fine with.
Anyways, I'll try and expand on this later. I've been preparing a new thread for a few days haha

Just not sure I should bother with it.