Form I 212 is confusing

Whether you attend the hearing or receive a deportation order in absentia, that is still considered being deported. So you should put down that you have been deported. In such case, you would have to file the form I-212 for advance permission to come back to the US. Otherwise you would have to stay in the home country until the time that the deportation order expires, in most cases 10 years. Insofar as your four children are concerned, you can use the extra page provided in the form, page 8, for additional information. Copies of their birth papers and any other relevant information that might be favorable to you should be included in the application. You may also look to see whether you also have to file an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility, which would generally be required if you stayed in the US illegally for one year or more or committed other acts such as fraud or misrepresentation or crimes. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.