There is a huge number of crime and offenses and non-criminal charges that form the basis for deportation.

In my practice I have sometimes encountered individuals who think that immigration court hearings are a joke. They think that they will simply appear in court and tell the judge their “story” and be allowed to move on with their life, get a green card and remain in the USA. Nothing can be further from the truth!

Practicing regularly in immigration court as I do, I have seen first-hand the effects of this attitude. Immigration court cases start off with an Immigration Master Hearing at which the Respondent (the alien) has to agree or deny the charges of removal or deportation against him or her. The initial hearing at immigration court and further immigration court procedures are covered in a series of three articles on this blog.

My articles cover:

-> The Notice to Appear (NTA) issued by the Immigration Service or the Department of Homeland Security.
-> Individual hearings
-> Applications for relief from removal or deportation.
-> Immigration court status information through the case status phone system.
-> How to conduct the Master hearing
-> Cancellation of removal
-> Pleadings to the Notice to Appear.

An alien in deportation or removal proceedings really should educate himself on the various aspects of immigration court, Master hearings, Individual hearings and the relief that is available. Deportation defense is difficult enough as it is. Do not make it harder on yourself! Know the facts!