Particularly if you have lived in the U.S. for many years, you may have accrued valuable assets, such as real estate, vehicles, credit cards, college investment accounts, bank accounts, and other items of personal property. As the risks of detention and deportation for undocumented immigrants continues to grow nationwide, you and your family should take steps before the unthinkable occurs to protect your assets. If you fail to do so, you could end up losing those assets in the event that you are detained or deported. First, if you own real estate, such as a home or business location, you have a few different options. One of the best options is to co-own the property with someone who is not at risk of deportation, such as an American citizen spouse or business partner. If deportation should become an issue, then you may be able to transfer the real estate to your spouse or business partner, and/or execute a limited power of attorney that allows the co-owner to act on your behalf with respect to the property, such as if the property must be sold. There are different types of joint property ownership, and all states have different laws about real estate ownership and transfers. Therefore, if you own real estate and are at risk of immigration detention and/or deportation, then you need to consult with an attorney in order to work out the best solution for you in terms of safeguarding your property. Next, if you have bank or investment accounts, then you will want to still be able to access those funds while detained or after you are deported. In today’s society, you very well may be able to continue to manage your bank or investment accounts online or via telephone. There are often ATMs in other countries through which you could access funds, or wire transfers of money that can cross international borders. However, there can be significant fees associated with these activities, so you should be sure and check with your bank to find out the least expensive means of transferring or accessing funds. These are only a few of the steps that you should take to safeguard your assets if you or your family is at risk of detention and/or deportation. Fortunately for you, Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., knows federal immigration law and has the experience to guide you and advocate on your behalf throughout any type of deportation proceeding, whether or not you are detained during this process. We are familiar with the wide range of defenses that are available to individuals facing deportation, and how to build the strongest defense that is available to you, based on the evidence relevant to your case. Contact your California deportation defense lawyers today, and discover what we can do for you.
