What Happens to Your Bank Accounts and Properties in the U.S. if You Are Deported?

• Deportation from the United States worries millions of Hispanics with bank accounts, properties, or businesses in the country.
• Although deportation does not eliminate ownership of your assets, without a legal plan the matter becomes complicated.
• Knowing options such as a power of attorney and asset protection can help you safeguard what you have built.

In the U.S., more than 13.7 million undocumented immigrants live there, according to the Migration Policy Institute (2023).

Of these, about 8.3 million are part of the labor force, 5% of the total.

President Trump’s government has already deported more than 200,000 people in just seven months, according to CNN.

This implies mass deportation: enormous costs and severe human and economic consequences. For those who have accumulated properties or businesses, the uncertainty of facing deportation is one of the greatest concerns.

Bank Accounts After Deportation: What You Should Know

According to legal experts, assets remain yours even if you are detained or deported:

• The government does not freeze or seize accounts unless the money comes from crimes.
• If you receive voluntary departure, you have up to 120 days to organize your resources.

In that time, you can withdraw funds, sell properties, or keep accounts active to meet obligations in the U.S.

It is not advisable to carry all your money in cash or keep it at home, but rather to keep your account open and plan how to manage it from your country of origin.

Protecting Assets and Money After Deportation: Practical Steps

• Keep your account active: ensure payments for mortgage, child support, or loans.
• Open a joint account: with someone you trust who can manage funds, though they will also have rights over all the money.
• Use international transfers: useful for sending money, but consider fees applied in both countries.
• Digitize key documents: store copies of IDs, deeds, and contracts in the cloud.
• Make an inventory: list accounts, loans, and properties so your relatives know how to proceed.
• Power of Attorney: A Tool to Manage Your Money

Keep in mind: a power of attorney allows you to designate someone you trust to handle your account and financial decisions if you cannot do so.

• This document is limited and specific: the person will only have the powers you determine, such as signing checks or managing a loan. It is different from a general power of attorney, which covers all your personal affairs.

What the Experts Say

Immigration law specialists point out that assets and accounts in the US continue to belong to the immigrant, even in the event of deportation.

The challenge is to organize them so they are not blocked or mismanaged.

What’s Next for Hispanic Families

A scenario of mass deportation from the United States has an economic impact, but also a social and family one.

For those facing immigration processes, the most advisable thing is to prepare in advance with legal and financial measures.

Taking action now can prevent your children or relatives from losing access to money, properties, or important documents.