Reader’s Question:

I seriously need a hand in the problem I have now with my boyfriend. He is actually an illegal immigrant here in the US. He was charged with DUI in Oklahoma. Police said that he struck a 5-year old kid that caused an injury to the child. Does this mean that he will be deported?

Erica

Oklahoma City, OK

Having a run-in with the law enforcement would allow immigration authorities to be alerted to a particular person’s status. If an illegal immigrant can’t show a proper visa or green card, that means when their criminal or civil proceedings are completed, he/she will be deported.

In your boyfriend’s case, since he was charged with DUI in Oklahoma and he is an illegal immigrant, an immigration hold might have been placed on him. This means that when his criminal proceedings for the current charges are either dismissed or when he finishes serving his time if he will be convicted, he will be transferred to an immigration detention center to await his deportation.

We have to bear on mind that even a very simple encounter with the law such as a traffic stop for DUI suspicion can alert authorities to an illegal status or expired visa, and could result in deportation for illegal immigrants.