Facing Deportation? Act Now!
If you or a loved one is facing removal proceedings, immediate legal action is crucial. Every day matters in deportation cases. Contact us immediately for emergency assistance.
Aggressive Defense Against Removal
Being placed in removal proceedings is one of the most frightening experiences an immigrant can face. At Vasquez Law Firm, we provide aggressive, compassionate representation to fight deportation and keep families together. With decades of experience in immigration court, we know how to build strong defenses against removal.
Our Charlotte deportation defense attorneys understand that every hour counts when you're facing removal from the United States. We've successfully defended hundreds of clients in immigration court, securing relief through various forms of protection. Whether you've been detained by ICE, received a Notice to Appear, or are fighting a removal order, we have the experience and determination to protect your rights and fight for your future in America.
Why You Need an Attorney Immediately
- Strict deadlines that can permanently affect your case
- Complex legal standards requiring professional expertise
- Government attorneys actively working to deport you
- Multiple forms of relief that only attorneys can identify
- Evidence requirements that must be properly documented
Forms of Relief from Removal
Cancellation of Removal
For permanent residents and non-permanent residents
- • LPR: 7 years residence, 5 years with green card
- • Non-LPR: 10 years presence, good moral character
- • Must show exceptional hardship to qualifying relatives
Asylum & Withholding
Protection from persecution
- • Fear of persecution based on protected grounds
- • Withholding has higher burden but mandatory relief
- • Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
Adjustment of Status
Obtaining green card in removal proceedings
- • Through family petitions (I-130)
- • Employment-based petitions
- • Special immigrant juvenile status
Waivers
Overcoming grounds of inadmissibility
- • I-212 waiver for previous deportation
- • I-601 waiver for unlawful presence
- • 212(h) waiver for criminal grounds
ICE Detention & Bond
If detained by ICE, you may be eligible for bond:
- Bond hearings before immigration judge
- Demonstrating no flight risk or danger
- Habeas corpus petitions for prolonged detention
- Parole requests for humanitarian reasons
Prosecutorial Discretion & Stay of Removal
Not every case needs to go to trial. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who can work with ICE attorneys to seek prosecutorial discretion, administrative closure, or stays of removal. We evaluate factors such as community ties, family relationships, employment history, and humanitarian considerations to build compelling cases for why deportation should not proceed.
Factors We Highlight
- • U.S. citizen or LPR family members
- • Length of residence in the U.S.
- • Employment and tax history
- • Community involvement
- • Medical conditions
- • Primary caregiver responsibilities
Emergency Actions
- • Emergency stay of removal motions
- • Federal court injunctions
- • Habeas corpus petitions
- • Expedited appeal filings
- • Consular processing alternatives
- • Humanitarian parole requests
Appeals & Motions
BIA Appeals
Appeal unfavorable decisions to Board of Immigration Appeals
Circuit Court Review
Federal court appeals of BIA decisions
Motions to Reopen
New evidence or changed circumstances
Motions to Reconsider
Legal errors in immigration judge decisions
Our Comprehensive Defense Strategy
Every deportation case is unique, requiring a tailored defense strategy. Our attorneys conduct thorough case evaluations, identifying all possible forms of relief and developing multiple defense theories. We gather extensive documentation, prepare witnesses, and craft compelling legal arguments. Our team coordinates with criminal defense attorneys when needed and works with country condition experts to strengthen asylum and CAT claims.
Bond Proceedings & ICE Detention
If you or a loved one is detained by ICE, securing release through bond is often the first critical step. Detained individuals face enormous challenges preparing their cases, and family separation causes severe hardship. We act quickly to seek bond and release from detention:
Immigration Bond Hearings
Immigration judges have discretion to grant bond based on flight risk and danger to community. We prepare detailed bond packages demonstrating:
- • Strong community ties (family, employment, property ownership)
- • No criminal history or rehabilitation evidence
- • Financial ability to post bond ($1,500-$25,000 typical range)
- • Guarantees of appearance (co-signers, GPS monitoring acceptance)
- • Humanitarian factors (medical needs, family dependency)
Mandatory Detention Situations
Certain criminal convictions trigger mandatory detention with no bond eligibility. However, we challenge ICE's classification through:
- • Joseph hearings (prolonged detention without bond)
- • Habeas corpus petitions in federal court
- • Challenging whether crime qualifies as aggravated felony
- • Arguing statutory violations in arrest or detention
- • Emergency motions for humanitarian release
Bond Redetermination Appeals
If bond is denied or set too high, we immediately appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and may simultaneously file motions for bond redetermination based on changed circumstances.
Defensive vs. Affirmative Relief Applications
Understanding the difference between defensive and affirmative applications is crucial in deportation proceedings:
Affirmative Applications
Voluntary applications filed with USCIS before removal proceedings:
- • Filed with USCIS before court proceedings start
- • Non-adversarial process with USCIS officers
- • Asylum, VAWA, U visa, T visa applications
- • If denied, may trigger removal proceedings
- • Generally easier burden of proof
Defensive Applications
Applications filed as defenses in immigration court:
- • Filed during active removal proceedings
- • Adversarial setting with ICE attorney opposing
- • Must prove eligibility before immigration judge
- • Includes asylum, cancellation, adjustment applications
- • Higher scrutiny and evidence requirements
Criminal Convictions & Immigration Consequences
Criminal convictions have severe immigration consequences. We provide critical analysis of how criminal charges and convictions affect immigration status and work with criminal defense attorneys to minimize immigration harm:
Categories of Criminal Grounds
Aggravated Felonies (Most Serious)
Defined by INA §101(a)(43) - includes murder, rape, sexual abuse of minor, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, fraud over $10,000, theft/burglary with 1+ year sentence, and more. Consequences:
- • Mandatory detention (no bond)
- • Permanent bar from most relief (cancellation, 212(h) waivers)
- • Expedited removal proceedings
- • Permanent inadmissibility if deported
Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMT)
Conduct inherently base, vile, or depraved - includes fraud, theft, domestic violence, DUI with injury. Immigration impact depends on sentence and timing.
- • Single CIMT within 5 years of admission: deportable
- • Two or more CIMTs at any time: deportable
- • Waivers may be available depending on circumstances
Controlled Substance Violations
Any drug offense except single possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana. Includes possession, sale, trafficking, and even paraphernalia.
- • Deportable and inadmissible ground
- • Limited waiver availability
- • Post-conviction relief crucial (vacating convictions)
Domestic Violence & Protective Orders
Domestic violence, stalking, child abuse/neglect violations are deportable. Even violations of protective orders can be grounds.
- • Specific deportation ground under INA §237(a)(2)(E)
- • VAWA relief may be available for victims
- • Criminal defense coordination essential
Post-Conviction Relief Options
Even after criminal convictions, immigration consequences may be mitigated through:
- • Vacating Convictions: Challenge convictions based on ineffective assistance of counsel (Padilla claims), constitutional violations, or procedural errors
- • Modifying Sentences: Reduce sentences below deportation thresholds (e.g., 365 days for aggravated felony classification)
- • Expungements & Pardons: While generally ineffective for immigration purposes, strategic use may help in discretionary relief applications
- • Plea Bargain Review: Before accepting pleas, analyze immigration consequences and negotiate immigration-safe dispositions
Preparing for Your Immigration Court Hearing
Immigration court appearances require thorough preparation. Unlike criminal court, you have no right to appointed counsel, making experienced representation crucial:
What to Expect at Immigration Court
Initial hearing to establish charges, enter pleas to allegations, designate country of removal, and identify potential relief. Multiple master calendars may occur.
Full evidentiary hearing where you present your case for relief. You testify under oath, witnesses testify, documents admitted as evidence, expert witnesses may testify. ICE attorney cross-examines and argues against relief.
Immigration judge issues oral or written decision. May grant relief, order removal, or reserve decision pending additional evidence. Both parties can appeal within 30 days.
24/7 Emergency Deportation Defense
ICE arrests can happen at any time - during routine check-ins, at home, at work, or after criminal arrests. When ICE detains your family member, every hour matters. Our emergency hotline connects you with experienced deportation defense attorneys who can:
- • Locate detained individuals within ICE custody
- • File emergency bond motions within 24-48 hours
- • Prepare stay of removal requests if deportation is imminent
- • Coordinate with families to gather critical evidence quickly
- • Appear at emergency hearings on short notice
Emergency Hotline: 1-844-967-3536
Available 24/7/365 for ICE arrest emergencies
Success in Immigration Court
500+
Deportation cases defended
89%
Success rate with representation
24/7
Emergency availability
4
Office locations
Post-Order Relief Options
Even after a removal order, options may still exist. We pursue motions to reopen based on changed country conditions, new evidence, or ineffective assistance of counsel. We file stays of removal to prevent deportation while pursuing relief. For clients who have been deported, we explore options for legal return through waivers and consular processing.
Don't Face This Alone
Having an experienced attorney can make the difference between staying with your family or being deported. We fight aggressively for every client.
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Detained by ICE? Received a deportation notice? Call immediately!
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