expulsion / deportation
Last updatedWhat to know
“Expulsion” is a formal legal order by the state by which a non-national of the state is forced to leave the state’s territory. “Deportation” is the implementation of this order.
In 2020, 239,151 people were removed from America via legal expulsion. According to the Pew Research Center in 2020, “Immigrants convicted of a crime made up … less than half of deportations [from the United States] in 2018, the most recent year for which statistics by criminal status are available.”
The fear of deportation has real societal effects on the families of those affected. According to the American Immigration Council, some of the risks and adverse effects associated with fear of deportation include mental health issues, higher risk of substance misuse, decreased participation in public programs they may be eligible for such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and worse educational outcomes. These effects are especially prevalent for children of parents who face deportation.
Be mindful when reporting on undocumented immigration of anything that could put a source at risk of legal action, and make sure to clearly explain how the information they are giving you would be used and any potential risks for them.
Additional resources
- Key Migration Terms (International Organization for Migration)
- The Process of Deportation (USA Today)
Summary
“Expulsion” refers to legal orders to leave the territory of a state. “Deportation” refers to the implementation of those orders. Be mindful when reporting on undocumented immigration of anything that could put a source at risk of legal action, and make sure to clearly explain how the information they are giving you would be used and any potential risks for them.