Could You Be Deported Without Knowing? Here's How to Check

However, official sources caution that automated systems might not display all cases or complete information. If a person cannot locate their file, they may need to request their immigration record through a formal FOIA/Privacy Act request.

Steps to Verify a Deportation Order

1) Contact EOIR (via phone or website). EOIR provides two main methods for checking case status: calling 1-800-898-7180 (an automated line with Spanish and English options) or visiting the website justice.gov/eoir.

2) Have your "A-Number" ready: This number starts with the letter A followed by 8 or 9 digits and can be found on correspondence from USCIS, DHS, or EOIR. It is advised to prepend a zero if the A-Number has eight digits. No zero is needed if it has nine digits.

3) Understand the system's response. The system can indicate whether the case is in court or if there was a prior deportation order, as explained by the attorney consulted by Telemundo. If the system does not find the A-Number, it may suggest that there is no order associated with that number (at least with that identifier).

The guidance notes that some immigrants might have more than one A-Number, for instance, if they processed different applications. In such scenarios, it is recommended to have a lawyer manage the immigration record to identify all associated numbers.

Can Undocumented Immigrants Also Check?

Yes. The guide suggests requesting the immigration file through a FOIA Request (Freedom of Information Act Request). USCIS states that these requests can be made online, and the status of the request can be tracked on the same platform.

If a deportation order exists, consulting with an immigration attorney is advised to evaluate if the case can be reopened based on the circumstances.

Two cases in June 2025 highlight the increasing immigration tensions between Cuban residents in the United States and federal authorities.

The first incident occurred in Orlando, where a Cuban national was arrested upon visiting the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. The man, who had entered irregularly in 2004 and had a criminal conviction from 2008, had a pending deportation order since 2012. His arrest was confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security and was part of ICE operations targeting immigrants with pending cases, even those attending scheduled appointments.

A similar situation unfolded a week later in Miami, when another Cuban was detained at the USCIS office in Kendall while attempting to apply for permanent residency. Authorities found he had a final deportation order dating back to 1995, still in effect after three decades.

According to internal ICE data, more than 42,000 Cubans may have active deportation orders, a number that continues to rise due to the Cuban regime's refusal to accept repatriations.