Deportation Defense
A notice of removal proceedings is among the most serious immigration situations a person can face. The outcome — deportation from the United States — can mean permanent separation from family, career, and the country you have built your life in. It can also carry bars that prevent return for years or permanently.
Removal proceedings are adversarial. The Department of Homeland Security is represented by a government attorney. You have the right to be represented as well — and the quality of that representation can significantly affect the outcome.
Ahmad & Associates represents individuals in removal proceedings before immigration courts in Virginia and the surrounding region, and before the Board of Immigration Appeals on appeal. Our attorneys appear in immigration court regularly, and founder Anser Ahmad has over 20 years of experience there, including bond hearings, merits hearings, and appellate proceedings.
Federal detention challenges
A habeas corpus petition challenges detention in federal district court, not immigration court. We handle these matters only in specific jurisdictions after evaluating the detention location. Relief is not guaranteed, and a petition does not automatically stop removal.
How removal proceedings work
Removal proceedings begin when the Department of Homeland Security files a Notice to Appear (NTA) with the immigration court. The NTA states the charges against you and instructs you to appear before an immigration judge. The process typically involves:
01 · Master calendar hearing
An initial appearance where the judge identifies the charges, accepts or contests pleadings, and schedules future hearings.
02 · Bond hearing (if detained)
A separate proceeding to determine whether you should be released from detention and under what conditions.
03 · Individual (merits) hearing
The hearing where you present your case for relief from removal and the government presents its case for removal.
04 · Decision
The immigration judge issues a decision. If removal is ordered, you may have the right to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Defenses and forms of relief
Being placed in removal proceedings does not mean removal is certain. Many forms of relief may be available depending on your circumstances:
- Cancellation of removal — for certain long-term residents with U.S. citizen or permanent resident family members who would suffer hardship
- Asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture — for those facing persecution abroad
- Adjustment of status — if you are eligible for a green card through a pending petition
- Voluntary departure — agreeing to depart voluntarily, which may preserve certain future immigration options
- Waivers of inadmissibility — for those with specific grounds who qualify for a waiver
- Motions to terminate or suppress — legal challenges to the government’s charges or evidence
- Federal habeas corpus petitions — challenges to immigration detention in certain U.S. district courts, after assessment of detention location and jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to discuss your immigration matter?
Begin with an initial call with our intake staff. We assist clients in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and nationwide on federal immigration matters. Habeas corpus cases are accepted only in specific jurisdictions after review of the detention location. Multilingual assistance is available.
8000 Westpark Drive, Suite 630, McLean, VA 22102
Start with an initial call with our intake staff. Attorney consultations are arranged after intake.