What is the difference between Voluntary Departure and Deportation/Removal?
Voluntary departure is a form of discretionary relief granted by an Immigration Judge that allows an alien to leave the United States on their own, rather than by a removal order. This means that the alien must pay for their own trip back home, unlike an alien ordered removed. Voluntary Departure has a number of benefits and is most useful to those who are in removal proceedings, but do not qualify for adjustment of status. Leaving the United States under Voluntary Departure does not result in inadmissibility to the United States for 10 years like an order of removal. This means that if an alien accepts Voluntary Departure, he may return to the United States if he is eligible for a visa. An alien that is ordered deported or removed from the United States may not return for varying periods of times lasting as long as 20 years in some circumstances.
