What's the penalty for living & working illegally in the USA?

Question

I am a Canadian who was living and working illegally in the USA for a couple of years because my husband didn't file my paperwork like he was supposed to. We are back in Canada now. Can I get in trouble if he brings this up during our divorce battle? What would the penalty be? Help - I'm scared!

I am a Canadian who was living and working illegally in the USA for a couple of years because my husband didn't file my paperwork like he was supposed to. We are back in Canada now. Can I get in trouble if he brings this up during our divorce battle? What would the penalty be? Help - I'm scared!

To all of you who said I'd be deported - try READING the question - I'm back in Canada - DUH! And NO I did NOT use ANY funds from the government or any programs so I did NOT take any of your tax dollars so chill. I know it wasn't right - that's why I wanted my husband to file the papers properly but he is a moron and didn't - sorry.

Answer 1

If you are now back in Canada you would be safe. You left of your own accord. It is highly unlikely that you could be extradited to the USA to face illegal immigration charges. Normally what happens if you are found to be an illegal immigrant you will be deported to the country from which you came. This would normally have to go before an immigration judge who would decide your fate. It would not matter if your partner brings this matter up at a divorce hearing, I doubt very much if anything will happen to you. The worst thing probably is that if you tried to enter the USA they might not grant you a visa, if the facts were proven. They could also give you a ten year ban from entering the USA. I think pretty much that's about the worst thing which could happen to you. Lucky you got out when you did and that you were not found and arrested. You can't really give the excuse that your husband did not file the papers, the onus of the law is on you to follow up the application, you cannot plead ignorance. I would not lose any sleep over this one though. Good luck.

Answer 2

Working Illegally In Usa

Answer 3

If you entered the United States illegally you have committed a federal offense. You can be prosecuted and spend up to two years in prison for each offense. (You have to be caught in the US)

Working illegally in the United States can go either way. This is how that works;
1)you are a Canadian citizen and you are working. If you have an American social security number which a lot of Canadian workers do, you are paying taxes and into social security that you will never get back. Unless you can supply an American visa you can be paying into the American social security fund for ten to fifteen years and never see a penny.

2.If you were working for money under the table and not paying taxes, then the IRS will want to talk to you! HOWEVER, if you were working under the table and never got caught there is no evidence. Unless the reason you are back in Canada is because you were caught, you will be in good shape.

Answer 4

Legal migrant workers in the USA, absolutely, Yes! I'd like to see them making a good wage and receiving benefits. Green Card status, with the option to move to other states for job opportunities that come open as the weather provides. Or stay put if the jobs are stationary. The question was not in regards to illegal migrant workers but legal workers. Hate is stupid and ignorant. Comes from small minded morons who are afraid and insecure. I'm a Republican and I know allot of Republicans that believe Mexicans immigrants have a right to come to the USA and live legally. So do not make this a Party issue. Actually I have ran into more redneck democrats that hate Blacks and Mexicans and visa versa! I don't understand why on earth you all vote democrat. Seems stupid to me!!

Answer 5

No need to worry at all! You are in Canada, and even if you were in the States, the worst that could happen is deportation and they don't bother with that. I know Canadians who have spent years in the States, they work there, buy houses, and no one bothers them. After all, Americans come to Canada and work and we don't make trouble for them. Some of them even abuse our health care system. Your husband can always try to scare you but don't hire an attorney (waste of money) just for that. Judges don't take kindly to husbands who make frivolous accusations in a divorce case. Stop worrying dear. Be happy!

Answer 6

Don't worry about it. Like the others said you would just get deported and kind of hard to do since your in your homecountry. Anyway most Americans feel Canada is like an extension of the US(don't get pissed of Canadians). I just mean that Canada is like a brother to the US. If he is an American and the divorce will be handled in the U.S. then he would be more likely to get in trouble.

Answer 7

If you are back in Canada, there is probably little that can happen to you. The penalties can involve fines, but mostly they just deport people. That said, you need to be discussing this with an attorney anyway, so there is no sense in even asking here. Besides, he is equally responsible and liable for it. Good luck!

Answer 8

Your husband would get himself into trouble. Cause he did not file paperwork properly. As such I would seek an attorney that is familiar with International/Immigration law.
I think you could be fined back taxes, not filing paper work, unlawful stay in the USA. Preventing from ever able to return to the USA. Like I say use an attorney. You hubby would be stupid to bring that up. It would kill his *** good bye.

Answer 9

The real truth is that you will never be deported because the USA is too busy with illegals from the south. Canadians have come here, and we have gone there.

You all do not put irrational demands on our government or wave the Canadian flags at demonstrations. I too would love to visit Canada.

Answer 10

If you are back in Canada there is literally nothing that anyone can do especially if you paid taxes if not the worst that could happen is you might have to pay the taxes on the money you made.