There are risks associated with transporting large amounts of cash or things like cash across the border or generally when leaving the country. Cash and checks are generally not retrievable if lost or stolen while traveling.
If you are facing deportation, you should consider carefully whether you are willing to take this risk. There may be other options for removing cash assets from the United States upon deportation.
For Preparing and Supervised Immigrants
Preparing and Supervised Immigrants who are able to go to the bank in person may request a bank draft made out to “payee.” This is slightly safer than cash because the draft can be cancelled if lost or stolen. But the lost or stolen draft must be cancelled before another person finds the draft and cashes it, and it may be difficult to cancel the draft quickly if you have already been deported due to business hours, time differences, and other logistical barriers. Also, some banks charge fees to issue and cancel a bank draft, and banks in your home country may charge a fee to cash the draft.
For Detained Immigrants
If you have been detained and will not be released prior to deportation, it may be impossible to go to the bank in person. However, you can take certain steps so that you will have the cash when they arrive in their home country.
Withdrawing Cash While In Detention
If you are in detention and have cash in a bank account, you can withdraw that cash using a variety of methods. One option is for you to give your bank card to a trusted friend or family member and ask them to withdraw the cash. Later, this person can send the money to you via Western Union (or another similar service) once you reach your home country. See Chapter 15 on Remittance Transfers for more info. Keep in mind that the individual withdrawing the money will need to know your PIN number to get the cash and will have access to all of your money.
Another option is to have the bank card itself mailed to a trusted friend or family member in your home country. You can then retrieve the card and withdraw the cash upon arrival.
Third, if you have a chance to set up a Power of Attorney, your agent can authorize a bank draft or wire transfer of the money to your account in your home country (assuming you have a bank account in your home country) or, alternatively, the agent can send a check or money order directly to you in your home country.
Withdrawing Cash Outside of the United States
As discussed above, a United States bank account is accessible in many foreign countries through ATMs. Whether this is a useful or reliable method for extracting cash will depend on your individual circumstance, including whether and to what extent ATMs are available. Note that this option also requires that you keep the United States bank account open after deportation. Nevertheless, in certain situations, this option may be best.