what can an attorney do under deportation

by Wilford Fahey Jr. 4 min read

How A Deportation Lawyer Can Help Win Hard Cases At Immigration Court

  1. Analyze The Charges Against You. In the Notice To Appear, the government lists the reasons they believe you are...
  2. Stand Between You And The Judge. Immigration judges are under pressure to complete cases as fast as possible. They...
  3. Develop Your Theories Of Defense. Many immigrants qualify for...

Full Answer

Do you need an attorney to fight a deportation?

If you or a family member is facing removal from the United States, you'll need an attorney to fight the case. Here's what to expect. There are several options for an immigrant facing removal from the US to use as a defense against deportation. Returning to the U.S. After Being Deported Returning to the U.S. After Being Deported

What happens if a judge rules that a deportation proceed?

If a judge rules that the deportation proceeds, the receiving country of the person being deported must agree to accept them and issue travel documents before the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carries out a removal order. The majority of removals are carried out by air at U.S.

What is deportation and how does it work?

Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign national from the U.S. for violating an immigration law.

Can You appeal a deportation?

You have a limited amount of time to appeal, so if you plan to, you need to start the process quickly. Of course, the easiest way to fight deportation is to get legal U.S. citizenship, but that process can be complicated and time consuming.

image

How do you fight deportation?

Cancellation of Removalyou must have been physically present in the U.S. for 10 years;you must have good moral character during that time.you must show "exceptional and extremely unusual" hardship to your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent or child if you were to be deported.

Can you fight deportation order?

If an immigration judge orders a person's removal, or deportation, the order can be appealed with certain exceptions. The person who has been ordered removed must file an appeal to the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIS) within 30 days of the immigration judge's decision in their case.

What is a defense to deportation?

> Removal Defense. Removal defense involves representing and advocating for immigrants facing deportation from the United States. For many immigrants facing removal from the United States, the process involves appearing before an immigration judge in immigration court.

How do you get a deportation order removed?

You can do one of two things: 1). Apply in the court that issued the order of deportation, for the court to vacate or cancel the order of deportation; or 2). Apply with the Immigration Service to waive or cancel your former order of deportation.

Can you overturn a deportation?

If you have been ordered, removed, deported, or excluded, it may be possible to file an appeal with The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and put a stop to your deportation or removal. You must file this notice within 30 days of the decision by the immigration judge that rendered your removable/deportable.

Is there a waiver for deportation?

Form I-212 is a waiver request that allows such aliens to seek consent from the United States government to apply for lawful re-admission to the United States after having been deported or removed.

How do I know if I am in removal proceedings?

If you believe you have been ordered deported by a judge, you can confirm by calling the Immigration Court number at 1- 800-898-7180, putting in your “A number,” and hitting “3” for past decisions.

What is cancellation of removal immigration?

Primary tabs. Cancellation of removal is an immigration benefit whereby permanent residents and nonpermanent residents may apply to an immigration judge to adjust their status from that of deportable alien to one lawfully admitted for permanent residence, provided certain conditions are met.

What is withholding of removal?

Withholding of removal (called "non-refoulment" under the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees) prohibits the U.S. government from removing someone to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened on account of a protected ground (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or ...

Can getting married Stop deportation?

Getting married does not stop deportation. You must prove your marriage to USCIS and then adjust your status with the Immigration Judge. If your adjustment of status is granted you become a permanent resident and your deportation proceedings are over at the time the Judge grants your case.

How long does an order of deportation last?

Removal or deportation orders stay in your immigration file forever, so you are for example seeking a tourist visa after the 10-year bar has passed, you need to be very forthcoming and explain what happened and how the situation has changed.

What happens if you get deported and come back?

If you have been deported from the United States, and you return--or even attempt to return to the U.S.--without permission to do so, you can be arrested for Illegal Re-Entry After Deportation, 8 U.S.C. Section 1326.

Why Immigration Court Trial Attorneys Are Vital To Your Success Against Deportation

Too many news stories paint a bleak picture of the immigration process.

A Few Key Facts To Understand About Immigration Court Hearings

The defense of immigrants in removal proceedings is further complicated by the number of active cases.

The Six Roles Of Your Deportation Lawyer

Here are six roles of a deportation defense lawyer to think about before you decide to go to court alone.

1. Analyze The Charges Against You

In the Notice To Appear, the government lists the reasons they believe you are deportable. This includes a summary of your immigration history, status, and violation.

2. Stand Between You And The Judge

Immigration judges are under pressure to complete cases as fast as possible. They take a quick look at applications, searching for errors and omissions. They presume documents filed by the goverment are inherently reliable. Instead of hearing from all witnesses, many prefer written statements instead of actual testimony.

4. Represent You At Trial

Everything counts at an immigration trial. How you prepare your application for relief will influence every step of the process. Many times deserving, honorable immigrants destroy their chances with poorly presented evidence.

5. Protect You Against Flawed Decisions

Immigration judges will not create law. If appellate courts have interpreted rules a certain way in the past, a judge is going to do things the same way. The decisions of the Attorney General or Board of Immigration Appeals are absolute.

What happens when an immigrant is detained?

When an immigrant is detained by law enforcement for an alleged crime, he or she may be placed on an "immigration hold" or "immigration detainer". Here's how the process works.

What is removal from the US?

Removal from the United States (a.k.a. deportation) is the worst-case immigration consequence for a variety of crimes and immigration violations . Here you'll find information on how the process works, who can be deported, and options to defend a deportation case and gain legal status in the U.S.

Can you get a hardship waiver after being deported?

Getting a Hardship Waiver After Deportation or Unlawful U.S. Presence. If you or a member of your family have been deported (removed) from the United States or spent time in the U.S. without lawful permission to be there, obtaining the legal right to return will not be easy. The law has placed various barriers in your way.

You have options

If you have been convicted of a felony offense, your options for staying in the U.S. are severely limited. However, if your offense was a low-level crime or if your only transgression was being in the U.S. illegally, you may be able to avoid deportation.

Cancellation of removals

You may also be eligible for something called a U visa, which is for foreign nationals living in the U.S. who have been victims of criminal activity. Alternatively, you may be able to adjust your immigration status and apply to have the removal canceled.

Keep records

If you have established yourself in the U.S., deportation can thrust your life into complete chaos. Everything is in jeopardy—your home, job, bank accounts, benefits, even your children. As such, it is essential that you obtain written records pertaining to all of the above.

Amy Carst, Contributor

Amy Carst is a writer, human rights activist, and speaker. She writes for multiple law firms and human rights organizations and studied law until she realized she’d rather write for attorneys than practice law. Amy lives in Vermont with her husband and three children.

What happens if a judge rules that a deportation proceeds?

If a judge rules that the deportation proceeds, the receiving country of the person being deported must agree to accept them and issue travel documents before the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carries out a removal order.

What is the term for the removal of a foreign national from the U.S. for violating an immigration law?

Deportation is the formal removal of a foreign national from the U.S. for violating an immigration law.

How to find out the status of an immigration case?

For information about the status of a particular court case, contact the immigration court.

When did the USCIS start accepting DACA applications?

On December 7, 2020 , in compliance with a U.S. District Court order, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting eligible first-time requests and renewals for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

How to fight deportation?

Of course, the easiest way to fight deportation is to get legal U.S. citizenship, but that process can be complicated and time consuming. Not everyone can be granted citizenship when they want or need it.

What are the reasons for deportation?

Some common reasons for deportation include: 1 Visa and green card violations. If you’re in America on a temporary visa or on a green card awaiting citizenship, you can be deported if your pass expires or you violate any of its terms. 2 Fraud. If you obtained a visa or green card fraudulently, such as through a fraudulent marriage, you could be deported if caught. Forged paperwork could also lead to your removal. 3 Criminal activity. If you’re convicted of a crime, especially a violent crime or significant felony, you could be deported. Severe crimes are the most likely reason that any future entries to the U.S. could be denied. 4 Undocumented entry. If you came to the U.S. outside of the official procedures or remain here undocumented, you could be deported if discovered.

What happens if you get a visa fraudulently?

Fraud. If you obtained a visa or green card fraudulently, such as through a fraudulent marriage, you could be deported if caught. Forged paperwork could also lead to your removal.

When is expedited removal used?

Expedited removal is often used when a person enters, or attempts to enter, the country without paperwork, or with forged paperwork. Usually, a DHS officer gets to decide if a person will be immediately removed, and the removed person won’t always get an opportunity to plead their case before an immigration judge. Expedited removals are more common when the immigrant is within 100 miles of a U.S. border.

What does it mean when you miss a deadline for deportation?

When the slightest paperwork error or missed deadline can mean years of delays, it is essential to do things right the first time. An experienced immigration lawyer can address your particular needs with deportation, and put you in the best position for a positive outcome.

What are the requirements to get a DACA?

Eligibility requirements for DACA usually include an application for the program, high school graduation or high school diploma equivalent, and a clean criminal record. You can usually apply for DACA even if you’ve already received a deportation order.

How long can an immigrant stay in jail?

Local law enforcement can typically only hold an immigrant in jail for 48 hours before turning custody over to ICE. Once in ICE custody, immigrants are usually held for a few weeks before trial. The detainee will have a chance to appear before a judge and argue against their removal.

How to cancel an order of deportation?

You can do one of two things: 1). Apply in the court that issued the order of deportation, for the court to vacate or cancel the order of deportation; or 2). Apply with the Immigration Service to waive or cancel your former order of deportation.

What happens if a relative doesn't show up to court?

If the released relative does not show up to court, there are no other risks or penalties for the sponsor.

Can I get legal status if I have a child?

citizen, can I obtain legal status in the U.S.? You can do so under two circumstances: 1). If your child is over the age of 21 with the ability to support you, your child can file a residency petition for you, if you came into the U.S. with a visa.

Can an immigration judge change an order of deportation?

The first step to this analysis would be to determine whether or not the order of deportation could be changed. The law allows a person who has been ordered deported by an immigration judge the opportunity to have that order of deportation reviewed and vacated. If changing the deportation order is not possible and the individual has, or will have, an approved visa petition, then he/she can file a “request for admission after deportation” (form I-212).

What are the consequences of violating immigration laws?

Violations may include smuggling illegal immigrants into the country or taking part in a fraudulent marriage.

What happens if you don't abide by your visa?

Failure to abide by the terms of your visa can get you deported. 2. Criminal Acts . If you commit certain crimes as an immigrant in the United States it is possible to get deported.

What is the meaning of "a failure to obey the terms of your visa"?

1. A Failure to Obey the Terms of Your Visa. If you have been granted a visa to stay in the United States, it’s important that you abide by the rules of that visa. For example, if you have a student visa, it’s important that you maintain student status.

What happens if you violate the terms of your green card?

If you are violating the terms of your green card by claiming public assistance under specific terms, your guarantors may be required to pay back any and all assistance you received in full.

Can immigrants be deported?

Many immigrants worry about ways to get deported from the United States, but the truth is that legal immigrants seldom face legal deportation so long as they abide by “the rules”.

image

Cancellation of Removal For Non-LPRs

Image
Cancellation of removal for non-lawful permanent residents is a defense to deportation, and a pathway to a green card for people who are in removal (deportation) proceedings. You have to prove 4 things in order to get a green card through cancellation of removal: 1. You have been physically present in the US fo…
See more on shusterman.com

Cancellation of Removal For Green Card Holders

  • Cancellation of Removal for lawful permanent residents enables green card holders to avoid deportation and remain in the US. You have to prove 5 things in order to be granted cancellation of removal: 1. You have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years; 2. You have continually resided in the US for at least 7 years; 3. You have not been convicted of an aggravate…
See more on shusterman.com

Waivers

  • Our deportation lawyers have obtained waivers of removal for many of our clients A common ground of removability provides that an person may be subject to removal if he was inadmissible when he entered the U.S. There are many grounds of removability found in the law. Eligibility for waivers of removal depend upon a person’s ability to establish hardship to his close family mem…
See more on shusterman.com

Suspension of Deportation

  • Any expulsion proceedings commenced on or after April 1, 1997 are removal proceedings rather than deportation or exclusion proceedings. However, persons who were placed in deportation proceedings prior to April 1, 1997 as well as NACARA applicants may still be eligible for suspension of deportation. A deportable alien may apply for permanent residencethrough suspe…
See more on shusterman.com

Legalization and Registry

  • Once an illegal alien has been found qualified for legalization or “amnesty” by the USCIS, the deportation hearing will typically be closed since the alien will have attained the legal right to remain in the United States. Registry is another means of attaining lawful permanent residence in the United States. It is available to persons who have resided continuously in the U.S. since prio…
See more on shusterman.com

Voluntary Departure

  • Finally, if there is no other relief from deportation, most persons are eligible for, and should apply for, voluntary departure from the United States. This avoids both the stigma and the legal impediments to return to the United States imposed by deportation. Voluntary departure is available to persons who are not deportable on aggravated grounds, who have the means to pa…
See more on shusterman.com