If you are interested in the rights of individuals forcibly removed from the United States through deportation orders, continue reading as you’ll learn about whether or not deportees are eligible to collect social security payments. As well as how to minimize the time you’re not eligible to receive social security benefits.

Can A Deported Person Collect Social Security?

Unfortunately, no. You must eventually return to the United States as a green card holder to be able to collect security during the time you spend outside the United States. However, suppose you return to the United States after your travel ban expires and become a legal resident again. In that case, you will be entitled to start receiving your social security payments again.

Suppose you’ve spent many years in the US as a citizen and have earned the right to collect social security. If you are deported, attempt to return to the US as a legal resident once your travel ban expires if you rely on your social security benefits.

Collect Your Social Security As Soon As Possible

If you rush to return to the United States as soon as possible, it’s well worth seeking a waiver, allowing you to return to the US if you can obtain a new visa. If you have a spouse, who is still a legal resident or citizen, they can petition for a new green card for you. That will allow you to be reunited with your spouse without waiting for your travel ban to end. 

You can regain social security if granted a new green card as a legal resident. So if you rely on your social security to make ends meet, it’s well worth talking to an immigration attorney about obtaining a waiver to return to the US as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, if you have been issued with a 20-year ban or a lifetime ban on reentering the United States, you won’t be able to apply for a waiver and will have to wait for your travel ban to expire.

Loss Of Social Security Benefits

Sadly, suppose you have been issued a lifetime ban for being deported from the country numerous times or being convicted of several aggravated felonies. In that case, the US may permanently bar you from entering the country. In this situation, it’s highly advisable to contact a reputable immigration attorney to see if there is any way that you’ll be able to return to the US again.

Your Length Of Stay In The US Does Not Change Your Social Security Eligibility

Suppose you have been successfully deported to your country of origin after going through an immigration hearing. In that case, it does not matter how many years you spent living in the United States. You cannot claim any social security benefits outside the US. Even if you held a Green Card before your deportation for several decades, it does not matter, and the government will still bar you from collecting social security benefits.

For this reason, it’s highly advisable to start becoming a full citizen as soon as possible, which for most individuals is after holding a green card for five years. Once you go through the ceremony to become a citizen, you will have peace of mind knowing that you will never miss out on receiving social security. 

Collecting Your Social Payment Security On Your Behalf

If your spouse is a legal US citizen or resident and is not deported from the country, they may be able to collect your social security payments for you. However, this process is complicated. You must ask an attorney for assistance if you want a spouse to manage your social security. 

If you’re concerned that your spouse may not claim their social security benefits without you, there’s no need to be concerned as they will have no trouble claiming their share of your social security payments. So you won’t have to worry about leaving your spouse without the financial means to support themselves in your absence.

Summary

While you are located in your country of origin after you have been deported, you will not be able to continue receiving social security benefits. However, the great news is that once you return to the US and become a legal resident again, you can start reaccessing your social security benefits.

So if you are deported and are afraid of losing your social security benefits which you worked hard to qualify for, all is not lost. With careful planning, you can collect your social security benefits again. Talk to an experienced immigration attorney to expedite your return to the United States.

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