Deportation And Removal Facts

Deportation is a process in which the federal government orders a person  who is not a citizen to be removed from their country. In the United States, deportation is the process used when a non-citizen is in violation of immigration laws. Do you know the basic facts and steps to avoid deportation? To find out what you can do to prevent being deported, contact a local immigration attorney specializing in deportation.

There are over 200 immigration judges across the United States in 53 immigration courts. These judges are responsible for conducting proceedings and  making decisions on individual cases for removal of individuals  who have violated immigration laws. As a matter of fact, the caseload of these immigration judges is often 80 percent removal proceedings. Of course, immigration judges have other responsibilities but removal or deportation is their largest caseload.

Removal hearings are  used  to determine if specific aliens are subject to deportation from the United States. Today, all removal of aliens from the United States is placed within the caseload of removal proceedings,  unlike a few years ago, when exclusion and deportation proceedings were often used. Now, removal hearings are the only process that  determine if an alien can stay in the United States, if they will be deported, or if they cannot be removed for other reasons.

At this time, the Department of Homeland Security is solely responsible for the removal process. At one time, the Immigration and Naturalization Service also performed this duty. If the Department of Homeland Security claims that a person has violated immigration laws, it can serve the person with a document  known as Notice to Appear.  This document orders the person to appear in front of an Immigration Judge. The document also explains the nature of the charge against them, the alleged acts that violated immigration laws, the person’s right to have an immigration attorney present, and what will happen if they fail to appear.

If you have been sent a Notice to Appear in front of an Immigration Judge, it would be in your best interest to consult with qualified legal counsel to ensure your rights are not violated, as well as to appear in court to defend your case.