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Fact check: How does ICE determine whether a lawful permanent resident is deportable?
1. Summary of the results
ICE determines whether a lawful permanent resident is deportable through a formal legal process that begins with serving a Notice to Appear, which lists the specific reasons the government believes the person is deportable [1]. The government must then prove their case through "clear and convincing evidence" that the person can be deported [1].
The primary grounds for deportability include:
- Criminal convictions - particularly crimes involving moral turpitude within five to ten years of admission that result in a sentence of at least one year in jail [2]
- Immigration fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining the green card [2] [3]
- Failure to comply with immigration laws, including visa overstays [4] [2]
- National security concerns [1] [3]
- Abandonment of U.S. residency [3]
The process involves final orders of removal and the exhaustion of due process rights, as demonstrated in Ward Sakeik's case, where she had a final order of removal since 2011 and her appeal was dismissed in 2014 [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The analyses reveal several important contextual factors not addressed in the original question:
- Wrongful detentions occur - Junior Dioses spent 48 days in an ICE facility despite his attorney arguing that his prior convictions did not meet the standard for deportable offenses under immigration law [2]. This demonstrates that ICE's initial determinations can be challenged and overturned.
- Protective measures exist - Green card holders can protect their status by avoiding criminal offenses, filing U.S. taxes regularly, and being honest on immigration forms [3]. This suggests that deportability is often preventable through compliance.
- Due process rights are significant - The requirement for "clear and convincing evidence" and the appeals process provide substantial protections, as seen in cases where individuals successfully challenge ICE's determinations [1] [2].
- Timing matters - Some deportable offenses have specific timeframes, such as crimes involving moral turpitude that must occur within five to ten years of admission [2].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question itself does not contain misinformation or bias - it is a straightforward inquiry about ICE procedures. However, the question's framing could benefit from acknowledging that:
- The deportation process involves judicial oversight and due process protections, not just administrative ICE decisions [1]
- Appeals and legal challenges are integral parts of the system, as demonstrated by the cases of both Ward Sakeik and Junior Dioses [4] [2]
- The determination process can result in wrongful detentions that are later corrected through legal proceedings [2]
The question assumes ICE has unilateral authority to determine deportability, when in reality the process involves immigration courts, judges, and extensive legal procedures with multiple opportunities for challenge and appeal.