Removal Defense

If you or a loved one is arrested for violating U.S. immigration law, you will most likely be dealing with removal proceedings. Some of your most important rights are at stake in a removal proceeding. Your very freedom to live and work in the United States is in jeopardy.

Navigating the immigration detention and court systems without a lawyer is difficult and frightening. Hiring an immigration lawyer with years of experience handling these complicated issues can make all the difference.

Although anyone facing removal proceedings has the right to be represented by a lawyer, there are no "public defenders" in immigration court, meaning that it is your responsibility to hire an experienced immigration lawyer to help you.

Reasons for deportation include:

• Assault
• Criminal charges
• Divorce
• Drug possession
• DUI
• Expiration of a visa
• Unlawful entry in the United States

Every year thousands of families are torn apart because of removal proceedings. The Sheena Law Firm understands the mental and emotional strains endured during this process. We know how removal proceedings affect individuals and their families.

Removal or deportation is one option the United States government has of returning illegal immigrants to their country of origin. However, there are other options that the courts often feel are better for the individual and family members involved.

If you or a family member has been detained, it is important to remember that you have rights. A legal resident may face deportation after being charged with certain federal crimes, as well. If a criminal charge has resulted in a deportation hearing, our firm also provides aggressive criminal defense representation to fight to keep you out of jail and in the Unites States legally.

Who faces possible deportation?

• Non-citizens caught entering the U.S. illegally, whom the USCIS believes are not entitled to enter without a visa
• Holders of temporary work, family, or visitor visas whose legal visa has expired
• Non-citizens who did not enter the U.S. through a legal immigration and customs office
• Non-citizens who have had their application for U.S. citizenship denied by USCIS officials
• Non-citizens who do not depart the U.S. after their temporary protected status has been revoked by Congress
• Legal residents who have willfully violated USCIS immigration laws, including remaining outside of the U.S. for an extended period of time

The Sheena Law Firm understands that removal proceedings can be scary and unnerving, even for people familiar with US immigration law and fluent in English. Without this basic background information, the process can be even more disorienting. The deportation and removal process may at times oppressive and unfair. But American law allows for a certain degree of redress.

What options do you have to avoid deportation?

• Apply for citizenship if eligible
• Apply for legal residency with a temporary work, family, visitor, or student visa
• Apply for political or religious asylum
• Apply for permanent green card status

In many cases deportation proceedings are initiated because of a criminal conviction or other violation of your visa status. If you have been notified of a deportation hearing or have violated your visa status, hiring an experienced deportation attorney as soon as you learn of an immigration violation is important in order to protect your rights.

The following legal appeals can be made in your defense:

• Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residence
• Asylum
• Cancellation of Removal for Battered Spouses or Children
• Cancellation of Removal for Lawful Permanent Residents
• Cancellation of Removal for Non-Lawful Permanent Residents
• NACARA relief
• Suspension of Deportation
• Waivers
• Withholding of Removal
• Withholding of Removal under the Convention Against Torture

We will help you plot a path forward and explain our recommendations in simple, clear language. Our goal is to provide passionate but aggressive defense for all clients. Call The Sheena Law Firm today to get started.