Maison Law Immigration Lawyers can guide you through the process of removal proceedings in Los Angeles. When a Notice to Appear (NTA) shows up in your mailbox, it signals the beginning of removal proceedings in immigration court, which is something nobody wants to go through. But an NTA and removal proceedings don’t have to be the end of the story. Our team can guide you through it all. Set up a free consultation today to learn more about your options.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
One of the first questions people ask after receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA) or learning they have an immigration court hearing in Los Angeles is whether they need to get a lawyer. Unlike a criminal charge where you’re provided with a lawyer if you can’t afford one, the government doesn’t automatically provide a lawyer if you have an immigration case against you.
So technically, you don’t have to get a lawyer. But we don’t need to tell you how important such a court case would be to your freedom and your family. That’s why you should definitely think about getting a lawyer once the NTA arrives. Here’s what our team can do for you:
- Review your immigration history and explaining your options
- Find possible defenses to removal
- Prepare applications for asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and other forms of relief
- Take care of all the court filings, evidence, and deadlines
- Represent you at hearings before the immigration judge
- Handle all the talks with the court and government lawyers for you
Removal proceedings can stretch on for months or even years. So while you can certainly try to handle it on your own, the stakes are huge. Having someone guide you through the process can make it easier to understand what’s happening and what comes next.
Why Am I in Removal Proceedings?
There’s actually a lot of different reasons why the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sends an NTA and starts removal proceedings. Most of the time, though, you’re going to face it because of things like:
- Claims of overstaying a visa
- Entering the United States without going through the right channels
- Violations of your immigration status
- Certain criminal convictions or arrests on your record
- Your immigration applications getting denied
- Following up on prior removal or deportation orders
Every situation is different. Just because DHS has started removal proceedings doesn’t mean you’ve run out of options. In fact, immigration court is often where people have their first real opportunity to explain their circumstances and request relief from removal.
Information That Can Help Me in Removal Proceedings
One of the best things you can do after learning you have an immigration court case is start gathering documents. The more information you have available, the easier it is to evaluate your options and prepare your defense. Helpful documents may include:
- Your Notice to Appear (NTA)
- Passports and travel records
- Visa documents
- Employment authorization records
- Prior immigration filings
- Marriage certificates
- Birth certificates
- Tax returns
- Employment records
- Criminal court records, if applicable
- Any notices or correspondence from immigration agencies
Think of these documents as pieces of your story. Just having these alone won’t win your case, but it’s going to be the foundation of your defense. Of course, there’s also the actual process you have to worry about.
What Happens During Removal Proceedings?
NTAs and removal proceedings are incredibly stressful, especially when you’re just trying to get on with your life here in Los Angeles. With that said, it’s helpful to look at how removal proceedings actually work—and surprisingly, there’s a lot of similarities from case to case even though every situation is different. Here’s how it typically works:
- Looking at other options. One of the first things people ask us after receiving a Notice to Appear is, “Do I have any options?” The answer is typically yes. Even with an NTA and removal proceedings, you can try to find ways to stay in the country through:
- Asylum
- Cancellation of removal
- Adjustment of status
- Waivers of inadmissibility
- Family-based immigration benefits
This is where your personal story starts to matter. How long you’ve lived here, your family relationships, your immigration history, and other details can all affect what options are available. That’s why one of the first things we do is sit down and take a close look at your situation before discussing the best path forward.
- Defending against the government’s allegations. A lot of people assume that because DHS filed an NTA, everything in it must be correct. That’s not always the case. Part of the process involves carefully reviewing the allegations and making sure the facts line up with reality. Sometimes information is incomplete, while other times there are factual errors. This gives you openings for your defense, but only if you find them.
- Providing documentation and evidence. Removal proceedings aren’t just about what the government says. They’re also about giving you the opportunity to explain your circumstances. That’s why gathering documents and evidence becomes such an important part of the process. Focus on:
- Records showing your family ties in the United States
- Employment history
- Community involvement
- Medical records
- Evidence supporting an asylum claim
- Documentation showing hardship your loved ones may face
Like anything else, the goal here is to paint a clear picture of your life here. The stronger your documentation, the stronger your defense.
- Going to court. Eventually, you’ll have your day in immigration court. For many people, this is the part that causes the most anxiety because they don’t know what to expect. But by the time your hearing arrives, the judge is going to:
- Review the government’s case
- Consider any applications you’ve submitted
- Look at the evidence presented
- Hear arguments from both sides before making a decision
Every removal case follows its own path. Some are relatively straightforward. Others are more complex. But no matter where you are in the process, you shouldn’t have to figure everything out by yourself. Having someone in your corner who understands the system can make a meaningful difference—not only in preparing your case, but in helping you understand what comes next.
Talk to a Los Angeles Removal Defense Lawyer
Finding out that you’re in removal proceedings can leave you with a lot of uncertainty about what happens next. Questions about your future, your family, and your immigration status can quickly become overwhelming.
At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, our Los Angeles removal proceedings lawyers can help you understand your options and go through immigration court with confidence. Whether you’ve just received a Notice to Appear or already have a hearing scheduled, our team can review your case, explain the process, and help you build a strategy for moving forward. Set up a free consultation today.
