Deciding how to handle valuable personal property in the event of detention or deportation is a decision that cannot be made without careful consideration of your personal circumstance. Below are the sorts of things that you should consider:
Value vs. Cost
You should consider the value of the item in comparison to the cost of shipment or storage. For example, it would not be economical to store or ship a large item of little value, because cost of storage or shipment depends on size and weight of the item.
Availability
Consider shipping only items not available in your home country, rather than incurring the additional cost of shipment for items you could purchase again in your home country following deportation. Similarly, if the item is widely available in the U.S., it may make more sense to sell in the U.S., and then repurchase in your home country, rather than incur the interim cost of storage.
Financing
If you still owe money on an item, you should review all documents and loan agreement relating to the loan to be sure you understand the consequences of non-payment and your options for sale of the item or termination of the financing arrangement.
It may be necessary to repay the remaining amount owed on the item of property prior to sale, or there may be requirements associated with returning the property to the lender. You can contact the company that provided the financing if you have questions.
Tax Considerations
It is possible that the sale, purchase, or transfer of an item of personal property can result in tax liability or benefit. If you are dealing with a high-value item, consider consulting a tax professional.
Impact on Others
You should consider the impact on other individuals using the item of personal property when deciding whether to sell, store, transfer, or ship the property. For instance, if a relative or dependent lives in the home and uses the furniture or appliances, it may be most cost- and time-efficient to transfer the items to them rather than sell and replace the property.
Similarly, you should consider whether failure to pay money owed on an item of personal property could cause harm to family members that remain in the U.S. Careful review of the terms of any loan documents and agreements and conversations with any lenders or landlords should provide clarity on consequences of this nature.
Impact on Immigration Status
If removal proceedings are pending or anticipated, you should consider how your handling of property will affect such proceedings. Likewise, if you plan to return to the U.S., this weighs in favor of complying strictly with all regulations and acting fairly in the context of a sale.