The Law Office of Claudia Grégoire offers years of experience representing individuals who are in removal proceedings (sometimes also referred to as “deportation proceedings”) before the Immigration Court. There are many reasons why a person may be before an Immigration Judge. A person who has been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for many years may be before an Immigration Judge due to an old criminal conviction. Another individual may be in removal proceedings because U.S.C.I.S. denied an adjustment of status application based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen.

An immigration court case begins with the issuance of a Notice to Appear (“NTA”), which lists the charges against the individual and states the reasons why the U.S. Government believes the person is removable, or subject to deportation, from the United States. Once in court, the individual may avail himself of several forms of relief, including applying for asylum, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents and non-lawful permanent residents, and waivers, among other forms of relief.

Individuals in removal proceedings must appear for all scheduled hearings. At Master Calendar hearings, the Immigration Judge will typically accept written “pleadings” from the Respondent (person in removal proceedings) and determine the types of relief for which the person is applying. The Court will then typically schedule a date for an individual hearing, similar to a trial, when the Respondent will have an opportunity to present testimony and evidence in support of his applications. During an individual hearing, the attorney for the Government, the trial attorney, will also have an opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine the Respondent’s witnesses.