Removal defense
Receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA) requires attention to the allegations, court notices and hearing dates. The NTA is not itself a final removal order. Defense begins with an assessment of immigration history, documents and the measures available under the law in the circumstances of the case.
Defense options and measures
Representation may involve preliminary and merits hearings, evidence preparation, protection requests, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, motions or appeals, where available. Detention and bond require specific assessment; not every detained person is eligible for release on bond.
Visa Finder assistance
Visa Finder provides removal defense, representation before Immigration Court and services in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Tell the team if there is detention, a hearing or an approaching deadline so that these circumstances can be considered.
What is removal defense?
It is representation for someone facing removability charges brought by DHS. In proceedings before the Immigration Court, administered by EOIR, the defense may contest charges, seek termination or dismissal where appropriate and request protections or immigration benefits available under law. Bond concerns custody and does not by itself end removal proceedings.
NTA: charges, information and first hearing
The Notice to Appear, Form I-862, contains allegations about nationality, entry and stay, charges and their INA legal basis, and hearing information or subsequent notices. Examples of grounds include entry without inspection, overstaying and certain convictions. In ordinary EOIR proceedings, filing the NTA with the Court begins proceedings; receiving it is not a final deportation order. Other removal procedures have their own rules.
First steps after receiving a notice
Check the NTA and all subsequent notices, keep copies and confirm dates with your representative. Report address changes to the Court through the applicable EOIR-33 procedure, generally within five days. Online case information does not replace official notices. Missing a hearing may result in an in absentia order; a pending application does not excuse attendance. Seek advice before signing documents that may waive rights.
Detention: steps in the first hours
Use the official ICE locator to search by A-Number and country of birth or the requested biographical details. Record the detention facility and its contact information, gather immigration documents and confirm hearings with EOIR. The locator does not show people under 18 and may not immediately display every record. If you cannot find the person, contact the responsible ICE ERO office or call 1-888-351-4024. Inform legal counsel of detention and deadlines for assessment of custody, bond and defense.
A-Number and hearing information
The A-Number is the alien registration number, usually identified by the letter A on documents such as the NTA, EAD and certain I-797 notices. In systems requiring nine digits, add leading zeros to shorter numbers. Check the case at acis.eoir.justice.gov or through the automated number 1-800-898-7180. Confirm the name, number, Court and received notices; no system result does not prove there are no proceedings.
Bond, appeals and old orders
Not every detained person can seek bond before a judge: the legal basis for custody, the procedure and individual history are decisive. Where available, flight risk and danger to the community matter. BIA appeals generally must be filed within 30 days of the oral decision or mailing of the written decision. Motions to reopen or reconsider and requests for a stay have their own requirements and deadlines; they do not automatically suspend removal in every case. Old orders also require assessment of these limits and possible exceptions.
Representation and consultation with the attorney
Visa Finder, based in Washington, DC, offers representation in U.S. Immigration Courts and assistance in Portuguese, English and Spanish through professionals authorized to provide the relevant legal services. Work may include NTA review, Master Calendar and Individual hearings, evidence, relief applications, bond where available, BIA appeals and motions. Immediately disclose detention or an approaching deadline. In deportation defense cases, the consultation with the attorney is paid; confirm fees and availability with the team.
Stages of Immigration Court proceedings
The course depends on the procedure and Court decisions. Ordinary removal proceedings may involve:
Service and filing of the NTA by DHS with the Court.
Master Calendar Hearing: confirmation of information, responses to allegations and identification of defenses. There may be more than one preliminary hearing.
Filing of available applications and evidence by the established deadlines.
Individual Hearing: testimony, witnesses and examination of evidence at the merits hearing.
Decision: the judge evaluates the charges and applications and may grant relief, terminate proceedings or order removal.
Appeal to the BIA where allowed; federal judicial review may be available in certain circumstances under separate rules.
Main defense options
No option is automatic. Immigration history, family ties, prior records and evidence determine what may be requested.
Asylum, withholding of removal and CAT: separate protections for persecution or torture, with different requirements and consequences.
Cancellation of removal: different rules apply to permanent residents and nonresidents. For certain nonresidents, they include ten years of continuous presence, good moral character and exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent or child, plus other requirements and bars. Ten years alone is insufficient; interruptions and counting rules require review.
Adjustment of status: a family or employment basis for permanent residence may exist if requirements, visa availability and the authority’s jurisdiction are satisfied.
U and T visas: options for certain victims of crime and human trafficking. Cooperation, exceptions and other criteria vary; an application does not automatically end or suspend removal.
VAWA: may protect certain spouses and children of citizens or permanent residents and parents of adult U.S. citizens in qualifying abuse situations. The relationship and form of protection require specific review.
Waivers: statutory waivers such as INA 212(h), and limited historical 212(c) cases, depend on the legal basis, dates and individual history.
Voluntary departure: may allow departure without an executed removal order when granted and complied with. It does not remove every barrier to returning; failure to comply can have serious consequences.
Motions: termination, suppression of evidence, reopening or reconsideration may be considered on specific grounds. A defective NTA or irregular evidence collection does not automatically terminate proceedings.
Prosecutorial discretion: requests to ICE for certain procedural measures depend on current policies and individual review; they are neither an entitlement nor a guarantee of dismissal.
How we can help
01 · Understand
Your history and goals guide the initial assessment and identification of relevant issues.
02 · Organize
The team identifies the information and evidence needed and explains the scope of the proposed work.
03 · Follow through
You receive guidance on the stages of our services and next steps, according to the agreed scope.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check an immigration hearing?
Check the notices received and the official EOIR system. Confirm details with your representative and keep your address current through the required procedures. Do not assume a pending request cancels a hearing.
How do removal proceedings begin in Court?
In ordinary EOIR proceedings, DHS serves the notice and files the NTA with the Court. That filing begins Court removal proceedings.
What is the NTA and what does it contain?
It is the notice setting out the allegations and charges of removability and their legal basis. An NTA is not a final removal order. Also read subsequent hearing notices.
I received an NTA. What should I do first?
Keep the NTA and notices, confirm hearing dates and seek legal advice. Keep your address updated with the Court and do not assume that a pending request excuses your attendance.
Where can I locate someone detained by ICE?
Check the official ICE detainee locator. If the person does not appear, contact the responsible ICE ERO office. The system does not display people under 18 and may have delays; contacts and detailed guidance are in the detention section.
What is the A-Number and where can I find it?
It is the alien registration number, identified by the letter A on documents such as an NTA, EAD and certain I-797 notices. For systems requiring nine digits, add leading zeros to shorter numbers.
Does a detained person automatically qualify for bond?
No. Eligibility depends on the legal basis for detention, the judge’s jurisdiction and case history. Even when a bond hearing is available, flight risk, danger to the community and supporting evidence must be evaluated.
Does receiving an NTA make deportation inevitable?
No. It presents charges and is not a final order. The defense may contest removability and assess available measures, without any guarantee of termination or an immigration benefit.
What are the main defenses?
Depending on the case: asylum, withholding and CAT, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, U/T or VAWA options, waivers, voluntary departure and motions. Prosecutorial discretion may also be assessed under current policies.
Can someone obtain a Green Card during proceedings?
It may be possible through cancellation of removal or adjustment of status when all requirements are met. Granted asylum may also allow a later residence application subject to the conditions, including required physical presence. Being in proceedings or having an approved petition is insufficient.
What happens if I miss the hearing?
The judge may issue an in absentia order. Reopening depends on legal grounds such as notice problems or exceptional circumstances, with specific evidence and deadlines. Do not assume it can be rescheduled later.
How long do removal proceedings take?
There is no single timeline. The Court, procedure type, detention, complexity, scheduling and appeals affect duration. Detained cases may move quickly; others can last years. Confirm the actual deadlines in your case.
Can I appeal a removal order?
For appealable judge decisions, the general BIA deadline is 30 days, subject to specific counting and filing rules. Federal review may be available in certain cases. Confirm whether an automatic stay applies or a stay must be requested; an appeal and a stay are not the same thing.
Can an old order still be reviewed?
Possibly. Reopening, reconsideration and a stay depend on grounds, deadlines and exceptions, such as certain notice failures or relevant changes in country conditions. Ineffective legal assistance also has specific criteria. Seek review with the order and full history.
Does Visa Finder assist in Portuguese? Is the consultation free?
Assistance is available in Portuguese, English and Spanish. For deportation defense, the consultation with the attorney is paid. Disclose detention, hearings or approaching deadlines and confirm fees and availability with the team.
Do I need to send documents when I first get in touch?
The team will explain which information is needed and the appropriate channel for sending private documents.
Can approval or a timeline be guaranteed?
No. Government decisions and processing times depend on the authorities and the circumstances of each case.
Information in context
Informational content. Eligibility, documentation and strategy depend on individual assessment and the rules applicable to the case.
Official reference ↗ICE: locate a detained person ↗EOIR: check hearings and case status ↗EOIR: relief options ↗EOIR: BIA appeal deadline ↗