Getting deported is every immigrant’s biggest fear. Whether you just arrived in the United States or have built a life here, you run the risk of being sent back to your country of origin if you are found to be in violation of immigration laws. The deportation process is scary for any undocumented immigrant, but it is important to understand the steps followed during this process and your rights when facing potential deportation.

The Deportation Process Explained

The deportation process can begin with an arrest by state or local law enforcement officers. When criminal charges are filed, an individual’s fingerprints are sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which are then passed on to the FBI. If these fingerprints match federal immigration records at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the person can be detained in the local jail for up to 48 hours before being released to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE may also begin deportation proceedings against a person on its own by sending a person a Notice to Appear for a removal hearing. Deportation will typically involve the following steps:

A contested adoption typically occurs when one birth parent wishes to place a child up for adoption while the other parent refuses to allow it. Often, contested adoption happens when the birth father does not want the child to be adopted. The mother may make the decision to give her child up for adoption, but the father may not agree with that decision. This normally occurs between young, unmarried couples who may not have the means necessary to care for a child on their own. Contested adoptions can often be frustrating for everyone involved, and all parties will likely want to have legal representation.

Common Reasons For a Contested Adoption

Contested adoptions are not uncommon, as putting a child up for adoption is a difficult life decision to make. Fathers may object for a variety of reasons. The father may not have known that the mother was pregnant, or he may not have known whether the child was his. Because mothers know about the child first, they have more time to make up their minds about adoption, whereas some fathers do not find out about their child until they take a paternity test. Fathers or mothers may also change their minds at the last minute, especially when they get to physically see their child after he or she is born.

What Happens During a Contested Adoption?

Both biological parents will typically have parental rights, including the right to be involved in their child's life. In addition, they will also have the obligation to provide financial support for the child. When a child is adopted, the birth parents' parental rights are terminated, and either parent may object to giving up those rights. In these cases, the decision about whether to grant the adoption must be decided in court.

Child custody agreements rarely please everyone involved. Divorce requires making lots of compromises, especially in terms of parenting time. While this can be frustrating, an unsatisfactory agreement is not grounds for changing the child custody and parenting plan. However, there are some situations that warrant an adjustment. The purpose of these agreements is to put the child’s best interests above the parents’ opinions, and if the parenting plan no longer reflects that, modifications can be requested.

Reasons to Request Changes

Consistent schedules and routines are beneficial for a child’s sense of stability, which is why courts are hesitant to make adjustments to child custody. The following are instances that can cause the court to consider modifying a divorce order that has been put in place:

1. Your child may be in danger: It is not uncommon for couples to get divorced due to physical, mental, or emotional abuse or because of their former spouse’s addiction to alcohol or drugs. While many parents try to keep their bad habits away from their children, some fail to do so. The court will evaluate the level of danger that the child may be exposed to by looking at past proof of the parent’s reckless behavior and speaking with the child about his or her home life. A child’s facial features or lack of words can be just as telling as a full testimony, and if the court determines that the child's safety is at risk, the custody arrangements may be changed as necessary.

   ...

Immigration has become a hot button topic in the United States over the last few years, especially in states that border Mexico. According to 2017 data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mexico has the highest percentage of immigrants to the U.S., followed by China, Cuba, and India. When discussing legal and illegal immigration, various terms are used by the news media, yet very few sources explain the differences between the types of immigration documents that exist or how individuals can obtain them. A Green Card is one of the most popular terms used. This form of identification indicates that the holder of the card is allowed to live and work in the United States permanently. In other words, this card grants immigrants permanent resident status.

Who Is Eligible For a Green Card?

A variety of scenarios allow immigrants to obtain a Green Card. The most common forms of eligibility are family and employment connections. Those who have U.S. citizen family members or who work in the United States are typically eligible for permanent residency. There are also situations in which those seeking safety can apply for a Green Card. These include individuals with refugee or asylee status, human trafficking and crime victims, and victims of abuse. A category known as “special immigrants” refers to individuals such as religious workers or international broadcasters. Another group who can register for a Green Card are those people who have resided continuously in the United States since before Jan. 1, 1972.

Divorce is very common these days. Approximately 40 to 50 percent of married couples in the United States end up getting divorced, and the rate of divorce is even higher for subsequent marriages. Even if it is mutual between both partners, the divorce process can be difficult for everyone, especially if children are involved. Many factors need to be considered, including property division, alimony, child custody and visitation, child support, and more. The entire process can take several months and should be done with the assistance of a knowledgeable divorce attorney who can help you understand the complex legal requirements that must be met.

Texas Divorce Laws

To file for divorce in Texas, the law states that either spouse must have been a resident of the state for at least six months prior to filing, and they must have resided in the county where the petition for divorce is filed for the prior 90 days. Unlike some other states, spouses do not need to be officially “separated” for a certain period of time before filing for divorce. In addition to allowing for “no-fault” divorce based on the insupportability of the marriage, Texas grants divorces based on the following fault-based grounds: adultery, cruelty (abuse), felony conviction, and abandonment.

Texas is a community property state. This means that all property acquired during the marriage is equally owned by both spouses, and therefore, this property should be equally divided in the event of a divorce. However, if one spouse is at fault for the breakup of the marriage, the court may take that into consideration when determining how to divide the couple's property.