The term ''Deportation'' (deport, deported, deporting) refers to the removal of an individual with a prior criminal conviction. For everyone else being removed from the UK such as refused asylum seekers, people who have overstayed a visa or had a visa cancelled the correct term is ''Forced Removal''. The media, however, uses the term ''Deport'' for everyone and this does not automatically mean that the person in question does in fact have a criminal record.

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The ''Deport Now, Appeal Later'' policy presently only applies to individuals with criminal convictions. An automatic Deportation Order being issued to anyone sentenced to 12 months or more (serving 6 months or more). This came into effect in late 2014. A large percentage of people effected by this have British Citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain prior to being served a deportation order. Due to being settled in the UK, most have families including children in the UK yet it is argued that familial relationships can be maintained through the use of modern technology such as Skype.

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It is important to note that convictions that can result in an eventual deportation order can include traffic offences, working unlawfully (such as with someone elses documents) and other non-violent crimes. Under Operation Nexus individuals who have never even been convicted of a crime but are suspected of criminal activity can also be served a deportation order. As a result it is not as is commonly believed that hardened criminals are being removed en mass from the UK.

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Essentially what results is individuals who have been settled in the UK for most of their lives, who often casme to the UK as young children and who have established families are removed. This then puts strain on the family memers left behind and can result in increased social problems.

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This phenomenon is often referred to as 'Double Punishment' whereby British citizens be descent are released upon serving a sentence yet British Citizens with a different country of origin are sent to immigration detention to await deportation.

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The latest changes to the Immigration Bill mean that shortly the 'Deport Now, Appeal Later' policy will soon apply to all immigration claims excluding asylum. This means anyone seeking to remain based on private and family life considerations.