How a case moves through court
Removal cases usually begin with master calendar hearings, short appearances where the judge takes pleadings on the government's charges and sets deadlines. You can admit or deny the factual allegations and contest whether you are removable at all. Pleadings deserve care, because admissions made at that stage can be hard to walk back later. If you are applying for relief, the judge sets a date for an individual hearing, where you testify, present witnesses and documents, and are cross-examined by the ICE attorney. There is generally no government-appointed lawyer in immigration court, so people who cannot hire counsel often look to nonprofit providers.
Choosing and supporting relief
Relief can take forms such as asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or voluntary departure, each with its own demanding requirements and evidence. Which ones apply depends on how long you have lived here, your family ties, your status history, and any criminal record. Evidence often includes tax records, school records for children, medical records, letters from employers and community members, and proof of hardship. Requesting your file from the agencies often reveals discrepancies worth knowing about early. Deadlines for filing applications and evidence are set by the court, and missing them can forfeit relief.
Appeals and changes in strategy
If the judge rules against you, an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals has a short deadline, and further review may be possible in a federal court of appeals. Government attorneys sometimes move to dismiss or close cases, and recently dismissal has at times been used to pursue faster removal, so any such motion deserves advice before you respond. A motion to reopen or reconsider is a separate tool with its own deadlines and standards. We start from the Notice to Appear and the hearing schedule, then work through your history and the relief that might fit. We explain the strengths and weaknesses frankly. We do not predict a judge's decision.
