Deportation Defense Attorney in Louisiana

Lake Charles Removal Defense Lawyer with Extensive Experience

Are you facing removal proceedings or deportation? This is a stressful time when your American dream is threatened, and finding skilled representation can prove to be the difference between removal from the United States and a successful result. At Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, our Louisiana immigration lawyer has extensive experience with removal proceedings.

We know how to handle the entirety of a case so you can have someone on your side from start to finish, explaining your options and rights. With so much on the line, it is important to protect yourself. Our firm can help when you need us most, providing results-driven counsel. We serve clients in communities throughout Louisiana.

Did you receive an NTA? Call Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP at (337) 214-0670 or contact us online!
Se habla Español. Our deportation attorney in Lake Charles serves clients throughout Louisiana.

What Are Removal Proceedings?

If you receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), it means that removal proceedings are starting. The NTA is served to whomever ICE believes has entered the United States illegally or to those they believe are in the U.S. without authorization. It informs the recipient that the U.S. government is seeking his or her removal from the country. If you find yourself in this situation, the best way to prepare for what’s to come is to be fully informed of what might happen and to contact a Lake Charles deportation defense lawyer.

• Related: The Deportation Process 101: Understanding the Basics

Deportation Hearings

After 1 - 4 weeks of receiving the NTA, you will get another notice from the immigration court that contains instructions about your initial hearing. This is also called the “master calendar hearing” (MCH). The hearing lasts around 15 minutes and may take place a few months to a year later. Be sure to keep track of the date and time of the hearing. Missing it may result in the loss of any chance for deportation relief.

In the first master hearing, a judge will ask you to reply guilty or not guilty to the allegations and charges. The judge might schedule an additional hearing so that the government can attempt to prove its accusations against you.

After the hearing, the immigration court will then schedule a merit hearing, or individual hearing. These usually last four hours or more. For these types of hearings, it is important to have an experienced immigration lawyer by your side to defend you because this is when the judge will listen to your application for relief from removal.

How Long Does the Deportation Process Take?

How long removal proceedings takes depends on your specific circumstances. A case involving a detained person with an expedited docket may take 3 - 6 months, but on average the deportation process takes 2 to 3+ years to reach a final decision in immigration court. The length of the process is different for each case because it depends on many factors -- where you are located, how long you have been in the U.S., if you have a criminal history, if you have been deported in the past, etc. It may also depend on the country that you would be deported to and its relationship with the U.S.

Final Decisions and Appeals

Once the hearing has concluded, the judge will announce a decision about whether or not a removal order will be placed against you. You can appeal the decision if it is not in your favor; the government can do the same if they lose the case. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of a judge’s decision, and will grant you an "automatic stay," meaning that you cannot be deported until the appeals process has been resolved.

Call Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP at (337) 214-0670 to request a consultation with our experienced removal defense lawyers.

What is Included in the NTA?

The NTA is a list of allegations the government must prove about you in order for you to be deported. For example, if you are here on a student visa, the NTA might assert that you did not actually attend school, making you lose your student status and be eligible for deportation.

• Related: What Offenses Could Get You Deported?

The NTA also likely has a hearing date, which is when you need to appear in court in front of an immigration judge. If you don’t show up at that time, you will be ordered removed in your absence. The initial hearing is called a master calendar hearing, which usually only lasts a few minutes. In the meeting, a judge will introduce your case and your defense to the court.

Ways to Stop Deportation

To increase your chances of stopping deportation, reach out to an experienced deportation defense attorney in Louisiana. It is important to work with someone who has a thorough understanding of immigration law and removal proceedings. They will know the best way to approach your situation and what your options are.

If these options are available for you, these may stop deportation:

• Applying for adjustment of status
• Completing Cancellation of Removal and 212(C) Waivers
• Cancellation of Removal for Non-Permanent Residents
• Political Asylum
• Applying for a U-Visa
• Voluntary Departure

Note that an immigration judge’s decision is not necessarily the final say in the case. If the judge makes a decision that you do not agree with, you may have the right to appeal it, as long as you do not waive that right or wait too long to make the appeal.

• Related: More Possible Deportation Defenses

Don't fight against deportation alone. Reach out to experienced removal defense attorneys in Lake Charles today.
Complete an online form to request a consultation.

Allow Us to Protect Your Rights. Call (337) 214-0670 Today!

At Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, our removal defense attorneys in Lake Charles are dedicated to helping our clients get through even the most complex matters including removal proceedings. We know how difficult this experience and be for you. This is why we make it a point to handle the entirety of your case from the very first consultation, to planning and strategizing, to trial or hearing.

You can have peace of mind knowing that your case is being handled by a seasoned lawyer who pays close attention to the details of your situation and provides a unique strategy. This is the type of representation you can expect with our team, and you can trust that we always make your best interests our top priority from start to finish. Reach out to deportation lawyers in Lake Charles today.