An Experienced Immigration Lawyer Helping Clients Fight Deportation in Broward County and Beyond

If you or a family member is facing the possibility of being deported from the United States of America, you must seek experienced legal representation to assist you with this complex and frightening immigration matter. The immigration system can feel needlessly complex at times, making those in removal proceedings feel overwhelmed and despair about their future and the possibility of remaining in the country. Our law firm can help you understand your immigration options in a deportation case, in hopes of obtaining a favorable outcome and avoiding forced removal from the United States.

Our law firm, led by Fort Lauderdale immigration lawyer George Reres, has extensive combined experience representing clients with various legal matters related to deportation proceedings and developing a uniquely tailored defense for the case brought by the United States government. To learn more about our immigration services and how we can assist you and your loved ones during this difficult time, please contact our immigration and nationality law office to request a free, no-obligation case evaluation with our legal team today.

How Does the Immigration Process of Deportation Work?

Deportation orders can be issued for various reasons, including felony convictions, immigration fraud, unauthorized employment, expired visas, and other offenses. Before discussing potential defense strategies, it is essential to understand how the deportation process unfolds.

The first legal document you will receive is a Notice to Appear (NTA). This document signals the beginning of removal proceedings. The document will explain the reasons why the United States government believes you should be deported from the country. It is essential that you respond to this notice promptly. Failure to appear at a scheduled immigration court hearing can result in your immediate deportation.

At the master calendar hearing, an immigration judge will explain your legal rights and the charges that have been made against you. At this stage, your deportation defense attorney will discuss the allegations made against you and declare your intention to defend against these charges. If your deportation case advances, you must attend a merit hearing. During a merit hearing, you and your legal representative can present evidence, testify before the immigration judge, and seek the testimonies of witnesses. Your immigration lawyer will make compelling arguments to emphasize why you should not be removed from the country. It is essential that you adequately prepare for these courtroom hearings, and your deportation defense lawyer can assist you by gathering the necessary evidence and documentation that support your case.

Throughout the legal process, a deportation defense attorney will represent you in court and present convincing arguments to the judge. Ultimately, the judge will issue a decision after hearing all of the statements and evidence presented. Depending on the outcome of the judge’s decision, you could receive relief from deportation, or you may be ordered to be removed.

If the immigration judge issues an unfavorable decision, your lawyer can help you file an appeal and fight for a more favorable outcome.

What Challenges Do Immigrants Commonly Face During the Legal Process of Deportation Proceedings?

Immigrants facing removal proceedings are encouraged to seek professional legal guidance to help them achieve their immigration goals and remain in the United States of America. However, many immigrants face unique challenges during deportation defense cases, and it is crucial to be well-prepared for potential pitfalls.

Examples of the challenges that you may face during deportation proceedings include the following:

• Language barriers and an inability to understand your immigration status and the potential consequences of your deportation case. If you do not fully understand the implications of your deportation case, contact an experienced immigration lawyer in Fort Lauderdale for legal assistance.
• A lack of strong or convincing evidence can only serve to weaken your case against removal. If you have insufficient documentation and other pieces of evidence, work with an attorney to help strengthen your case.
• While it is not impossible for someone with a criminal record to obtain relief from deportation, it can make things more challenging if certain criminal offenses bar immigrants from receiving relief.
• In some situations, the deportation proceedings move at a fast pace, and the immigration courts may seek an expedited removal process. In fast-tracked deportation cases, you need attorneys who can get ahead of the allegations and properly defend your interests.

Do You Need the Legal Representation of a Fort Lauderdale Immigration Lawyer During Removal Proceedings?

In deportation cases, you are not automatically assigned a public defender as legal representation. Instead, you must either represent yourself or seek professional legal counsel from a deportation defense lawyer capable of representing your immigration needs. We must strongly recommend that you do not face this alone, because your prospects of avoiding deportation will diminish exponentially. For the strongest chance of avoiding removal from the country, contact an experienced deportation defense lawyer for legal guidance.

Among the many benefits of retaining the legal services of an experienced attorney are the following:

• An in-depth knowledge of possible defense strategies that could help defend your case and keep you within the United States
• Many immigrants, particularly those in ICE detention camps, face unique challenges obtaining the legal counsel of experienced immigration lawyers. In such situations, a loved one or a family member can reach out to our law firm to explain their case and hire us as their legal representation.
• The Immigration court proceedings can often feel unfair to immigrants placed at the mercy of judges. One reason is that it’s very uncommon for defendants to possess the knowledge or extensive experience necessary to represent their own interests. Instead of proceeding alone, seek the legal support of an attorney who represents clients in these and other related practice areas.
• We provide aggressive legal representation to help fight deportation and protect your rights throughout all of the legal proceedings. We ensure that all necessary documents, evidence, and arguments are presented effectively and efficiently to help your case.
• Some immigration cases are more complicated than others, such as those involving individuals with criminal convictions, prior deportation orders, and those seeking a waiver. We provide personalized attention to every client to ensure that even the most complex cases stand a fighting chance for success.
• And more

What Are Common Grounds for Deportation Orders?

Common grounds that the US government and immigration officials may use to deport individuals from the country include the following:

• Overstaying a visa
• Crossing the border unlawfully
• Becoming a public charge
• Drug crimes
• Failure to notify USCIS of a change of address
• Working in the United States without proper authorization
• Accusations that you are a threat to public safety or national security
• Violating your legal status in the country
• Domestic violence convictions
• Illegal reentry into the nation after a deportation
• Aggravated felonies, such as sexual assault, drug trafficking, and violent crimes
• Marriage fraud and other forms of immigration fraud
• Involvement in terrorist activities
• The use of fake IDs and other forged documents
• Illegal possession of a firearm
• Crimes of moral turpitude, including theft, assault, and other crimes that reflect poorly on your character
• And more

Can Green Card Holders Be Deported from the Country? 

A lawful permanent resident (green card holder) can potentially be removed from the United States if they violate specific laws. Even those who have achieved US citizenship through naturalization can potentially be deported from the country, provided that they became citizens through fraudulent and falsified application forms.

What Are Some Legal Defense Options for Immigrants Facing Deportation Proceedings in South Florida?

Depending on your case, there may be several defense strategy options available to you that could prevent you from being deported from the United States of America.

Our law firm proudly serves clients facing deportation orders, and we will explore all options to help you fight these orders and achieve a satisfactory resolution to your case.

Potential defense strategies include the following:

What is a Cancellation of Removal? 

Cancellation of removal permits specific immigrants to petition an immigration judge to halt deportation and authorize them to remain in the United States lawfully. A cancellation of removal can only be requested during deportation proceedings. There are multiple types of cancellation of removal options available, depending on your immigration Status, each with its own strict criteria.

To be eligible for a cancellation of removal as a legal permanent resident, you must have held a green card for at least five years, continually resided in the US for at least seven years after lawful admission into the country, and not have been convicted of an aggravated felony. Non-permanent residents must have lived in the United States continuously for at least a decade before removal proceedings, maintained a positive moral character, and be able to prove that the forced deportation from the country would cause an exceptional hardship on a family member who is either a United States citizen or a green card holder.

Another way to obtain a cancellation of removal is if you are the abused spouse, child, or parent of a citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may qualify for the Violence Against Women Act.

If a cancellation of removal is granted, the immigration judge halts deportation and then terminates the orders made against you. In such instances, green card holders maintain their legal status, and non-permanent residents may seek lawful permanent resident status through the proper channels.

Do You Meet the Legal Requirements for an Adjustment of Status?

Those who are eligible can apply for a green card through family immigration and other means while in deportation proceedings. This adjustment of status can make you a lawful permanent resident, which would then prevent deportation from the country in some circumstances.

Should You Consider Voluntary Departure from the Country?

If you do not have any good immigration options available to you, you might consider asking for a voluntary departure from the country. Voluntarily departing from the country is not considered a forcible removal from the country, and you may be permitted to return to the United States at some point in the future.

Can Strong Family Ties Potentially Help You Avoid Deportation?

In some unique circumstances, you and your attorney may be able to argue that your removal from the country would exhibit extreme hardship upon your family members who remain behind. To successfully win this argument, you must present compelling evidence that shows the citizen or green card-holding family members would indeed face unusual hardships in your absence.

Are You Eligible to Apply for Asylum Status or a Withholding of Removal?

Individuals who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their countries of origin may be able to apply for asylum status, which would grant them the legal right to remain in the United States and obtain certain protections. There are strict eligibility requirements to file for asylum status, and our law firm can help ensure you meet these criteria.

Can You File for an Appeal or a Motion to Reopen Your Immigration Case?

If the immigration judge hands down an unfavorable decision in your deportation defense case, an experienced immigration attorney can file an appeal on your behalf and fight for a more favorable outcome.

Do You Meet the Criteria for a Waiver for Criminal Activity or Immigration Law Violations?

In certain situations, immigrants with a criminal history may be eligible for waivers that permit them to remain in the United States and avoid deportation. Securing a waiver without professional legal counsel is very unlikely, so we encourage you to contact our law firm for assistance.

Contact Our Immigration Law Firm to Request a Free Consultation with a Fort Lauderdale Deportation Defense Lawyer Today

Just because you face the possibility of being deported from the country does not mean all hope is lost. Depending on your circumstances, you may have many potential defense strategies available to you that could fight removal and help you remain in the United States where you work, reside, and have pursued your American Dream.

Immigrants facing deportation must seek the professional legal counsel of experienced attorneys well-versed in these cases. Our law firm would be proud to represent your interests and help you fight for your rights and avoid deportation.

To learn more about the benefits of retaining our legal services in your deportation defense matters, please contact our Fort Lauderdale law office to schedule a free case review. Our phone number is (954) 874-8806.