How to Deal with Being Rejected or Deported

Rejection and deportation are two forms of exclusion that affect many around the world.

Rejection is the act of dismissing, refusing, or denying someone or something.

Deportation is expelling, removing, or sending back someone or something from a country.

Both rejection and deportation can occur for various reasons, such as immigration status, criminal record, political affiliation, or personal preference.

Rejection and deportation are traumatic because they involve a loss of connection, belonging, identity, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, emotional, financial, or social hardships, and the list just goes on and on.

Whether you are facing rejection or deportation yourself or you know someone who is, this article provides practical ways to help you deal with the situation.

Read on:

1. Understand your Legal Rights and Options

Deportation removes a noncitizen from the U.S. or another country for violating immigration law.

Different countries have different laws and policies that regulate deportation and different ways for noncitizens to appeal or challenge it.

Here is some general information that may help you understand your legal rights and options if you face deportation.

• In the U.S., the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the agency that enforces deportation orders.
  
  ICE may detain and deport noncitizens who participate in criminal acts, are a threat to public safety, or violate their visa.
  
  If ICE detains you, you can contact a lawyer, a family member, or a consulate.
  
  You also have the right to request a bond hearing, where an immigration judge will decide whether you can be released from detention while your case is pending.
• If you are ordered to be deported, you may have some options to appeal or get help with your deportation order.
  
  For example, you may apply for asylum, withhold removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture if you fear persecution or torture in your home country.
  
  You may also apply for cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or a waiver of inadmissibility if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
  
  You may also request voluntary departure, which allows you to leave the U.S. on your terms and avoid some of the negative consequences of deportation.
• In the U.K., the Home Office is the department that handles immigration and deportation matters.
  
  The Home Office may deport noncitizens who have committed a serious crime, have breached the conditions of their leave, or have no legal basis to remain in the U.K. If you are liable to be deported, you have the right to be notified of the reasons and grounds for your deportation, and the right to appeal to an independent tribunal.
  
  You also have the right to seek legal advice and representation and apply for bail if detained.
• If you want to challenge your deportation, you may have some options depending on your circumstances.
  
  For example, you may claim asylum, humanitarian protection, or human rights if you fear harm or persecution in your home country.
  
  You may also apply for leave to remain based on your family or private life, your long residence, or your exceptional circumstances.
  
  You may also apply for revocation of your deportation order if there has been a change in your situation since the order was made.

This is not legal advice, and you should consult a qualified immigration lawyer for your specific case.

Also see: How to Handle Facing Discrimination or Racism

2. Seek Emotional and Practical Support

Facing deportation can be a stressful and traumatic experience, not only for the person who is deported but also for their family and community.

That is why seeking emotional and practical support from people who can offer empathy, compassion, and guidance is important.

Here are some ways to find support:

• Contact your family and friends who can provide emotional, financial, or legal assistance.
  
  They can help you cope with the uncertainty, fear, and grief accompanying deportation.
  
  They can also help you access resources, such as lawyers, counsellors, or social workers, to assist you with your case or well-being.
• Find communities that share experiences and values similar to yours.
  
  You may feel isolated or alone, but you are not the only one going through this.
  
  Many groups and organizations can connect you with other people who have faced or are facing deportation and who can offer you solidarity, advocacy, and mutual aid.
  
  For example, you can join a group that visits and supports people in immigration detention or studies and addresses the effects of deportation on families and communities.
• Seek professional help if you are experiencing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
  
  Deportation can hurt your mental health, and you may need specialized care to cope with the challenges.
  
  You can find a that offers emotional and practical support for people who have experienced trauma or specializes in working with immigrants and refugees.

3. Cope with the Stress and Grief of Deportation

Deportation can harm your mental health, and you may need specialized care to cope with the challenges.

Here are some tips and resources on how to cope with the stress and grief of deportation:

1. Acknowledge your feelings and seek support

You may experience a range of emotions, such as anger, sadness, fear, guilt, or shame, after being deported or separated from your loved ones.

These are normal and valid reactions, and you do not have to deal with them alone.

You can contact your family, friends, or community members who can offer emotional, financial, or legal assistance.

You can also find a therapist, counsellor, or support group that can help you process your feelings and cope with the trauma.

For example, you can visit a that offers emotional and practical support for people who have experienced trauma or a that specializes in working with immigrants and refugees.

2. Maintain your physical health and well-being

Your physical health can affect your mental health, and vice versa.

Therefore, taking care of your body and mind is important, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and avoiding substance abuse.

You can also practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga, to reduce stress and anxiety.

You can also seek medical attention if you have any physical or mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

You can find more information and resources on the.

3. Rebuild your sense of home, identity, and belonging

You may feel a loss of home, identity, and belonging after being deported or separated from your loved ones.

You may also face discrimination, stigma, or violence in your home country or host country.

You can cope with these challenges by reconnecting with your culture, values, and beliefs and finding communities with similar experiences and values.

You can also explore new opportunities, such as education, work, or volunteering, to help you develop new skills, interests, and goals.

You can also seek legal advice and representation and advocate for your rights and dignity.

You can join a group that visits and supports people in immigration detention or one that studies and addresses the effects of deportation on families and communities.

4. Rebuild Your Life in a New Country

Rebuilding your life in a new country can be both challenging and rewarding.

You may face many difficulties, such as culture shock, language barriers, loneliness, discrimination, or unemployment.

However, you may also discover new possibilities, such as learning new skills, making new friends, exploring new places, or pursuing new goals.

Here are some advice and resources on how to adapt to a new culture, language, and environment and how to find opportunities and hope in a new place:

• You must be open-minded, curious, and flexible to adapt to a new culture, language, and environment.
  
  You must respect and appreciate the differences and similarities between your culture and the new one.
  
  You must also practice and improve your verbal and non-verbal communication skills to interact effectively with the locals. 
  
  Some strategies to help you adapt include:
  • You are researching your destination country before you move.
    
    Learn about its history, geography, politics, economy, customs, values, and etiquette.
    
    This will help you avoid culture shock and prepare you for what to expect.
  • You are learning the local language as much as you can.
    
    Language is a communication tool and a way to express your identity and connect with others.
    
    You can take language courses, use online apps or websites, watch local media, or join language exchange programs to improve your language skills.
  • You are connecting with other international students or expatriates who share your experience and challenges.
    
    They can offer you support, advice, and friendship.
    
    You can find them through online platforms, social media groups, or local organizations that cater to foreigners.
  • You are setting realistic expectations and being patient with yourself and others.
    
    You may encounter difficulties or frustrations in adjusting to the new culture, such as misunderstandings, stereotypes, or conflicts.
    
    You may also feel homesick, lonely, or depressed at times.
    
    These are normal and common reactions, and you should not blame yourself or others for them.
    
    Instead, you should seek help when you need it and focus on the positive aspects of your experience.
  • You are embracing the new culture and trying new things.
    
    You can enrich your cultural experience by trying new foods, making friends with locals, attending cultural events and activities, or joining clubs or organizations that interest you.
    
    You can also learn from the locals and ask them questions about their culture, beliefs, and opinions.
    
    This will help you understand, appreciate, and show respect and interest in the new culture.

Also see: How to Build Your Professional Network in Canada

• You must be proactive, optimistic, and resilient to find opportunities and hope in a new place.
  
  You must look for and seize opportunities in your new environment, such as education, work, or volunteering.
  
  You must also maintain a positive attitude and a hopeful outlook, even when facing challenges or setbacks.
  
  Some tips to help you find opportunities and hope include:
  • Look online to identify companies, organizations, or institutions in your new city that you might be interested in working for or collaborating with.
    
    You can also use online platforms like or to search for job openings, network with professionals, or showcase your skills and achievements.
  • Reach out to previous employers, colleagues, or mentors who you might want to use as professional references or who might have contacts or leads in your new city.
    
    You can also ask them for advice, feedback, or recommendations on advancing your career in the new place.
  • Find optimistic people and groups who can inspire and motivate you and offer guidance and support.
    
    They can be your family, friends, mentors, coaches, or role models.
    
    You can also join online or offline communities that share your values, goals, or passions, such as or.
  • Maintain your physical and mental health and well-being.
    
    Your health is your most valuable asset, and it can affect your ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, and pursue opportunities.
    
    It would help if you took care of your body and mind by eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, and avoiding substance abuse.
    
    It would help to practice relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga, to reduce stress and anxiety.
    
    You should also seek medical or psychological help if you have any health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Rebuild your sense of home, identity, and belonging in the new place.
    
    You may lose your home, identity, and belongings after leaving your old country or being separated from your loved ones.
    
    You may also face discrimination, stigma, or violence in your new country.
    
    You can cope with these challenges by reconnecting with your culture, values, and beliefs and finding communities with similar experiences and values.
    
    You can also explore new opportunities, such as education, work, or volunteering, to help you develop new skills, interests, and goals.
    
    You can also seek legal advice and representation and advocate for your rights and dignity.

Conclusion

Dealing with being rejected or deported is a difficult and painful experience that can have lasting effects on your mental health, well-being, and sense of belonging.

However, there are ways to cope with the stress and grief of deportation and to rebuild your life in a new country.

We hope this article has been of help.

We wish you all the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is rejection?

Rejection involves being excluded from a social relationship or interaction.

It can be active—for example, in acts of bullying or teasing.

Or it can be passive—for example, in the acts of giving silent treatment or ignoring someone.

2. Why is rejection painful?

Emotional pain can be intense and can even manifest physically.

Research has found that the network for psychological pain overlaps to some extent with brain regions involved in physical pain.

In other words, we can literally feel something like rejection as physical pain.

3. How can I cope with rejection?

Avoid dwelling on the event, as this can lead to self-blame and make it difficult to move forward after rejection.

Use facts to understand rejection. Avoid self-blame or negative thoughts about the self.

Reach out to friends or family members.

Positive social interactions can provide natural pain relief.

4. What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)?

Some people, particularly autistic people or those with ADHD, experience RSD.

While RSD is not an official diagnostic term, RSD manifests as strong and severe emotional pain in response to real or perceived rejection.

5. How can I deal with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)?

It can be easy to get “stuck” in feelings of rejection, especially if you deal with RSD.

Be gentle with yourself, and utilize coping skills that help you care for yourself.

Feel your emotions. Emotions demand to be felt.

6. What is deportation?

Deportation is the act of a government sending a migrant away from the country, usually back to the migrant’s home country, for reasons such as illegal immigration or the commission of a crime.

7. Can I appeal against deportation?

Yes, you have the right to appeal against being deported in many countries.

8. What happens if my appeal against deportation fails?

If your appeal fails, you will be required to leave the country. In some cases, you may be detained until your departure.

9. Can I return to the country if I have been deported?

This depends on the laws of the country from which you were deported.

Some countries have a ban period during which you cannot return after being deported.

10. What should I do if I am facing deportation?

If you are facing deportation, it is advisable to seek legal advice immediately.

A lawyer can guide you through the process and help you understand your rights and options.