Legal definition of Grounds for Removal
In immigration law, Grounds for Removal refer to the reasons that legally allow a country to expel a foreign national from its territory. These circumstances typically involve national security, public health, or moral order considerations. Authorities rely on their legislation and international regulations to consider these grounds to uphold the integrity of their immigration system and better protect their population.
In general, grounds for removal are based on the immigration laws and regulations of the host country. They also derive legitimacy from international conventions such as human rights or specific international laws. These laws often include specific provisions defining behaviors or activities that may lead to the expulsion of a foreign national.
Grounds for removal typically involve criminal offenses, threats to national security, violations of visa conditions, or other activities deemed harmful to public order. Illegal stay in the country, fraud, and document forgery can also lead to expulsion. Individuals in these legal circumstances are required by law to leave the host country’s territory.
Crimes that are often considered grounds for deportation in immigration :
- Murder
- Serious assaults
- Domestic violence
- Trafficking of illicit substances
- Crimes involving moral turpitude : such as fraud, theft, or forgery of documents.
Etymology of Grounds for Removal
The term “Grounds for Removal” has its etymological roots in the old english “grund” which meant the bottom of something or the base of a valley and the latin “removere” which is composed of “re-” (indicating a backward movement) and “movere” (meaning “to move” or “to displace”). The combination of these terms denotes the legal cause or reason for which a person may be removed or expelled from a country. In immigration, grounds for removal are the legal grounds on which an authority can decide to force someone to leave a country.