Facing deportation or removal proceedings can be intimidating. The government will have experienced attorneys working against you, and navigating the process alone can lead to delays, denials, or long-term bans from returning to the U.S. Having a knowledgeable deportation lawyer is essential to protect your rights and build a strong defense.

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Why You Need a Deportation Lawyer
Deportation cases require careful attention to documentation, timing, and U.S. immigration laws. One missing form, an incomplete record, or a late submission can cause months of delays or even result in removal. A skilled attorney will manage the process from start to finish, prepare your case, and respond to government requests on your behalf.

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At the Law Firm of Behkar Law, our attorneys focus exclusively on immigration law. We represent clients facing deportation or removal orders and work to ensure their cases are handled thoroughly and effectively.

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Common Reasons for Deportation
You may receive a Notice to Appear (NTA) for various reasons, including:

• Being in the United States illegally

• Overstaying a visa or violating visa terms

• Unauthorized work in the U.S.

• Providing incorrect information on immigration forms

• Committing certain crimes

• Smuggling other individuals into the U.S.

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Understanding Your Rights
Even if you are in removal proceedings, you retain important rights:

• The right to a fair hearing before an immigration judge

• The right to legal representation

• The right to present evidence and call witnesses

• The right to appeal the judge’s decision within the allowed time

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The Deportation Process
The deportation process typically involves:

1. Notice to Appear (NTA): You are formally notified of the removal proceedings.

2. Master Calendar Hearing: Preliminary hearing to address basic procedural matters and determine representation.

3. Eligibility for Relief: If eligible, you may apply for relief from deportation or adjustment of status.

4. Individual Hearing: You present your case, testimony, and witnesses. Proper legal representation is crucial at this stage.

5. Decision and Appeals: The immigration judge issues a decision, which can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) if necessary.

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Defense Strategies
Our attorneys use a variety of strategies depending on your case:

• Asylum: Protection for individuals at risk of harm or persecution in their home country.

• Criminal Waivers: Relief for permanent residents or applicants facing deportation due to past convictions.

• Motions to Terminate or Suppress: Challenges based on procedural errors or violations of due process.

• Cancellation of Removal: Available for long-term residents who show “good moral character” and extreme hardship to qualifying relatives.

• Family Petitions: In some cases, an approved I-130 petition from a U.S. citizen relative can prevent deportation and allow adjustment of status.

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Travel Considerations
Travel during removal proceedings requires caution. Leaving the U.S. without authorization may be considered abandonment of your case. In certain situations, advance parole (Form I-131) may allow temporary travel. Consulting an attorney before any travel is essential.

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How Long Does a Deportation Order Last?
Deportation orders may carry bans from reentry that last 5, 10, or 20 years, depending on the circumstances, including prior removal orders, criminal convictions, or reentry without permission.

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Immigration Bonds

If you are detained during removal proceedings, you may be eligible for release on an immigration bond. A bond allows you to remain out of detention while your case is pending.

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Bond eligibility depends on factors such as your immigration history, criminal record, and ties to the community. In many cases, an immigration judge can review or lower the bond amount at a bond hearing.

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Having an experienced deportation lawyer can improve your chances of release and help present evidence supporting bond approval or reduction.