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Removal proceedings include several individual steps. Though the specifics of what happens during removal proceedings vary from case to case, you will generally:
- Receive a Notice to Appear, which is the charging document informing you that removal proceedings have started
- Complete a master calendar hearing
- Complete an individual hearing
- Pursue any necessary appeals
This four-step process is pivotal for anyone facing possible deportation. Our Phoenix, AZ immigration lawyer can help you during the removal process.
What Does “Removal Proceedings” Mean to an Immigrant?
As the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) explains, removal proceedings are the formal action that could lead to deportation. This means that, without legal intervention, you could be deported once removal proceedings are complete.
Deportation poses several risks, including:
- Separation from loved ones who reside in the United States
- Loss of any employment you have in the United States
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Difficulty re-entering the United States
You are in the U.S. for a reason. Our legal team wants to help you stay. If you are facing removal proceedings, we urge you to take the matter seriously. You can retain our firm to assist with your immigration-related legal needs.
For a free legal consultation, call (623) 742-5400
Why Removal Proceedings Happen
There are several reasons why the United States government may start removal proceedings, which is why many immigrants fear that they could be deported at any time. We have seen non-citizens face removal proceedings because:
- Someone with a Green Card is convicted of a crime (sometimes unjustly)
- Someone did not enter the United States lawfully
- Someone in the United States under certain work or study conditions failed to meet those conditions
- The government accuses someone of immigration fraud
These are just four of the many reasons why you may face removal proceedings. Regardless of the reason removal proceedings have started, the priority is to resolve those proceedings without you facing deportation.
The Stages of Removal Proceedings
The stages of removal proceedings include:
Receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA)
Your Notice to Appear is formal notice that removal proceedings are underway. This notice should:
- Include the reason(s) why government officials are pursuing deportation
- Include a hearing date
- Tell you where the hearing will take place
A Notice to Appear may contain other useful information. When you speak with an immigration attorney from our team, they will review the notice and answer any questions you have.
Attending a Master Calendar Hearing
During a master calendar hearing, a judge explains the charges against you in the Notice to Appear. Though a master calendar hearing may result in deportation, though unlikely, our firm will work hard to ensure that it does not.
Completing an Individual Hearing
Those who are not deported during a master calendar hearing may receive an individual hearing. Your attorney will make the case to secure relief from deportation and achieve any other legal goals that benefit you.
Filing and Completing Any Necessary Appeals
If a judge issues a decision to remove you, your attorney from our firm will appeal the decision. This process involves filing a Notice of Appeals, or Form EOIR-26, with the Board of Immigration Appeals. We must file this in no more than 30 days, per the DOJ.
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I Have Received a Notice to Appear, What Should I Do Now?
You may want to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after receiving a Notice to Appear. Removal proceedings can unfold quickly, and our team will use all the time available to prepare for your hearings.
How an Attorney Can Help With Removal Proceedings and Fight a Potential Deportation
Our firm creates personalized legal defenses for everyone we represent. Our goals in your case may be to:
- Secure immediate relief from deportation
- Identify the reason the government started removal proceedings against you
- Help you secure a long-term solution that may protect you from future removal proceedings
If you face expedited removal, you may have only a matter of days to intervene. Our team will discuss how we can help with expedited removal proceedings. Our team can assist you by:
- Answering all of your immigration-related questions
- Gathering evidence that could help you remain in the United States
- Preparing you for upcoming hearings
- Accompanying you to hearings
- Leading your case for relief from deportation
- Completing all paperwork and communications related to your case
- Completing any necessary appeals processes
The U.S. Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services explains that immigrants involved in removal proceedings can apply for benefits that may end deportation proceedings. This is just one of several legal options we’ll consider when representing you.
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Call New Frontier Immigration Law for a Strategic Session Today
Our attorneys are dedicated to resolving immigration issues, and we want to help you get relief from deportation.
Call New Frontier Immigration Law today to complete your strategic session. Do not wait, as removal proceedings and other immigration issues are often time-sensitive. Our team is ready to assist you right now.
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