What we handle
Cases in immigration court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals and in the federal courts.
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Immigration court hearings
Master calendar and individual hearings, from the first appearance to the decision.
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Bond hearings
Requests for release from immigration detention, prepared quickly and argued in person or by video.
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Asylum and related protection
Asylum, withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture.
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Cancellation of removal
For permanent residents, and for long-term residents with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent or child.
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Appeals
Appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and petitions for review in the federal courts of appeals.
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Motions to reopen
Reopening old cases, including orders entered when the person missed a hearing.
How the process works
Six stages. Some cases take years; detained cases move much faster.
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The Notice to Appear
The government starts the case by filing a Notice to Appear with the immigration court. It lists the charges and, eventually, the hearing date.
Who: the Department of Homeland Security
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Master calendar hearing
A short first hearing. We answer the charges, tell the judge what relief the person will seek and get a schedule.
Who: an attorney appears with you
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Apply for relief
We file the application, such as asylum or cancellation of removal, with the court, along with the evidence and witness statements.
Who: the firm
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Individual hearing
The full hearing on the merits. The person testifies, witnesses are heard and the government’s attorney cross-examines.
Who: the firm presents the case
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The judge decides
The judge grants relief, orders removal, or grants voluntary departure. The decision may be given at the hearing or later in writing.
Who: the immigration judge
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Appeal
Either side can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days. A Board decision can be taken to a federal court of appeals by petition for review.
Who: the firm files; the Board and the courts decide
Common forms of relief
Which one applies depends on the person’s history, family and the reasons they cannot return.
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Protection
Asylum and withholding of removal
For people who fear persecution in their home country because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.
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Cancellation
Cancellation of removal
For permanent residents with long residence, and for others with ten years here whose removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a citizen or resident relative.
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Adjustment
A green card in court
Some people can adjust status before the judge, for example through a U.S. citizen spouse or parent.
Representative matters
A few recent removal defense matters, described without client names.
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Asylum
Asylum granted to a journalist from West Africa after an individual hearing with expert testimony on country conditions.
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Cancellation
Cancellation of removal for a permanent resident of 20 years facing charges based on an old conviction.
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Bond
Release from immigration detention for a father of three detained after a routine traffic stop, within a week of being retained.
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Appeal
Remand from the Board of Immigration Appeals of a denial that had not considered the applicant’s corroborating evidence.
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case turns on its own facts.
Common questions
What if I already have an old removal order?
Some orders can be reopened, especially those entered when a person never received notice of the hearing. We review the court record before advising.
Can you help someone who is detained?
Yes. We request a bond hearing when the person is eligible, and appear in detained court in person or by video.
Should I go to an ICE check-in without a lawyer?
Talk to an attorney first. We review the case beforehand and can attend when it is permitted.