College students are typically concerned about short-term problems such as what to do Saturday night or whether they will score an internship. One college student has more grave concerns on his mind. His mother was just deported to her native Nigeria and the 21-year-old college student fears that he is next.

The student's mother was deported after she lost her asylum case. She was held in a federal detention center for two years before finally being sent back to Africa. The student is also under an order of deportation, but he has been under this order for seven years with no action on the part of government officials. The order of deportation looms large in the student's mind and he hopes to remain in the country with his recent asylum filing.

Filing for asylum is just one of many ways to fight an order of removal. An experienced deportation defense attorney can work with a client to steer the client's case away from removal and into a more productive solution which may allow the client to stay in the country.

Common causes for removal are remaining in the United States on an expired student or employment visa, unlawful entry, un-renewed visa applications, or a violation of immigration status. Those who are in the country on a visa or illegally may also be removed if they have been arrested or convicted of a crime in the United States. Those who are arrested in their home countries may also face removal in some cases.

Source: Associated Press, "Dad killed, mom deported, WA student seeks asylum," Manuel Valdes, Feb. 4, 2012