An unexpected visit from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can be frightening. If you are wondering what to do if ICE comes to your door, the most important thing to do is stay calm and remember that you have rights under the U.S. Constitution, regardless of immigration status. Our immigration attorneys have helped individuals and families across North...
Continue ReadingCancellation of removal is immigration relief that allows certain noncitizens in the U.S. to avoid deportation and, in many cases, obtain lawful permanent resident status (a green card). When an immigration judge grants cancellation of removal, they stop removal proceedings and let you remain in the U.S. lawfully. The process is available only to those who meet strict eligibility...
Continue ReadingWithholding of removal is a form of immigration relief that stops the government from deporting a person to a country where their life or freedom faces threats because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. If you qualify, the immigration judge must grant withholding of removal, which allows you to stay in the...
Continue ReadingDo illegal immigrants have constitutional rights? Does the Constitution apply to illegal immigrants? Do illegal immigrants have rights? What rights do illegal immigrants have? While we object to calling undocumented individuals “illegal immigrants,” we understand that many people wonder, What rights do immigrants have in the United States? Do illegal immigrants have constitutional rights? Yes, immigrants are protected by...
Continue ReadingDeportation is perhaps the most feared word for anyone residing in the U.S. without papers. You must take it seriously if you receive notice of removal proceedings from the U.S. immigration authorities. You are undoubtedly scared and uncertain of your future, but there are many defenses to deportation and even justifications for stopping deportation. If you are wondering how...
Continue ReadingIf you or someone you love has received a deportation order, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next. Depending on the circumstances, you may have the right to appeal the deportation order. A deportation appeal allows you to challenge the decision and potentially remain in the United States. The process is complex and time-sensitive, making it...
Continue ReadingThe U Visa is unique among U.S. visas. It allows crime victims to receive a visa and eventually a green card so long as they cooperate with the criminal investigation. As of 2025, U Visa processing through USCIS takes approximately 32.7 months for Form I-918. This timeframe includes review, background checks, and waiting for visa availability. Processing times vary...
Continue ReadingCan an undocumented immigrant fly within the U.S. in 2025? Yes, they may be able to, but that does not mean the process isn’t fraught with potential pitfalls and some danger. In general, domestic travel involves requests for official identification and contact with agents of the federal government. This means that air travel presents opportunities for an undocumented immigrant...
Continue ReadingCan a U.S. citizen be deported? The short, practical answer is no—U.S. citizens generally cannot be deported. Once someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they have full constitutional protections and the right to remain in the country. Although they apply to very few individuals, U.S. law does authorize the government to revoke citizenship in specific and rare circumstances through a...
Continue ReadingIf you or someone you know is facing a removal (deportation) order from the United States, a motion to reopen may offer a second chance. In U.S. immigration law, a motion to reopen allows an individual to ask the immigration court to review a case they or another immigration court has already decided. Motions to reopen enable immigrants to...
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