What to Do If You’re a U.S. Citizen and You Receive a Deportation Email
Imagine this: You’re a U.S. citizen sitting at home, checking your email—and suddenly, a message pops up from what appears to be a government agency. It says your parole has ended, and you must leave the United States immediately. You’re being deported.
Sounds like a mistake or maybe even a prank, right? Unfortunately, this alarming email has been received by many U.S. citizens in recent weeks. If you’ve gotten one, you’re not alone—and it’s important to know exactly what to do next.
Why Are U.S. Citizens Receiving These Emails?
Recently, automated emails have been sent out by the government following the termination of certain humanitarian parole programs initiated under the Biden administration. As the new administration rolls back these policies, over 500,000 cases are being affected.
But here’s the issue: many of these emails weren’t sent directly to parole beneficiaries—they were mistakenly sent to U.S. citizens who either supported the applications, acted as sponsors, or even legal representatives. Immigration attorneys, including myself, have received these notices. Despite being citizens, we were falsely told to leave the country.
What the Email Looks Like
The message typically says that your authorization for parole has ended, and you must depart the U.S. voluntarily. It even provides instructions on how to comply using the CBP One app. Naturally, this has caused confusion and panic for those unfamiliar with the situation.
Real Cases of Mistaken Identity and Detention
This issue isn’t limited to email notifications. There have been multiple reports of U.S. citizens being wrongly detained by immigration authorities. In one case, a citizen in Arizona was jailed for four days until their family provided documentation proving their status. Another individual was only released after media coverage brought attention to the error.
There was also a case in Chicago where a young man handing out his resume was surrounded by unmarked ICE vehicles and detained for five days—until his family could confirm he was, in fact, a U.S. citizen.
And it doesn’t stop there. U.S. citizens have been stopped at airports, questioned for hours, asked to hand over their phones, and even interrogated about their clients if they’re attorneys. These actions are deeply concerning and raise serious civil rights issues.
What Should You Do If This Happens to You?
If you’re a U.S. citizen and you receive one of these emails—or worse, you’re stopped or detained—you need to know your rights:
- Don’t Panic: As a U.S. citizen, you cannot be deported based on an email.
- Consult an Attorney: Even if it seems like a mistake, it’s wise to consult an immigration or civil rights attorney. You may have grounds to take legal action.
- Keep Documents Handy: While you don’t need to carry your passport everywhere, it’s smart to keep a copy of your naturalization certificate and passport at home. If you’re ever wrongly detained, a family member can use those documents to prove your citizenship.
- Report Civil Rights Violations: If you’re a citizen and were detained, profiled, or harassed, speak to a civil rights lawyer. You may be entitled to compensation or other legal remedies.
Can They Take Away Your Citizenship?
Absolutely not. Once you’re naturalized, your citizenship cannot be taken away without a lengthy and rare legal process known as denaturalization—and that is only done in extreme cases involving fraud. If you’re a naturalized citizen—even if it’s been just a few months—you are safe.
Stay Informed, Stay Prepared
While these incidents are unsettling, they underscore the importance of staying informed. Know your rights. Keep your documents organized. And most importantly—don’t let fear override facts.
If you or someone you know is dealing with an immigration issue, my team is here to help.
Visit us at: www.usimmigrationtalk.com
Let’s stay informed and stand up for our rights—together.