Removal Defense Lawyer Southwest Waterfront, DC
You open a letter from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or find a Notice to Appear in your mailbox. The document says you are scheduled for removal proceedings at the Arlington Immigration Court. Your stomach drops. Deportation feels imminent, but you are not without options. A Removal Defense Lawyer in Southwest Waterfront, DC can help you understand your rights, identify defenses, and represent you before the immigration judge. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients from the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood and throughout the District of Columbia. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor, and his Of Counsel team bring focused immigration experience to removal defense matters. Our Arlington, Virginia location is minutes from the Arlington Immigration Court, where DC residents’ cases are heard. To request a consultation about your removal case, reach our firm at (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
Your First Steps After Receiving a Notice to Appear
The Notice to Appear is the charging document that starts removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act. It lists the government’s allegations against you and schedules a master calendar hearing before an immigration judge at the Arlington Immigration Court, located at 1901 South Bell Street in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team assist Southwest Waterfront residents with reviewing the NTA’s allegations, identifying possible forms of relief, and preparing for the first hearing. The immigration court process moves forward regardless of whether you have counsel, so acting soon helps preserve your legal options.
At the master calendar hearing, the judge will advise you of your rights and ask whether you concede or contest the charges. You may be able to request a continuance to find an attorney if you do not yet have one. After that, the case proceeds to the individual merits hearing, where you present evidence and testimony in support of your defense. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel appear at these hearings, cross-examine the government’s witnesses, and argue for relief from removal. Because each removal defense strategy depends on your unique facts, a thorough evaluation of your immigration history, family ties, and any criminal record is essential early on.
Removal Defenses and Forms of Relief Available in the Arlington Immigration Court
Several forms of relief may stop your deportation and allow you to remain in the United States lawfully. Cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents requires you to show that you have been a permanent resident for at least five years, have resided in the U.S. Continuously for seven years after admission, and have not been convicted of an aggravated felony. For non-permanent residents, the qualifying period is ten years of continuous physical presence, good moral character, and a showing that removal would cause dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate whether you meet these statutory criteria and gather the documentary evidence needed to support your application.
Asylum and withholding of removal are available to individuals who fear persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. You must generally file an asylum application within one year of entering the United States, though exceptions exist for changed or extraordinary circumstances. If granted, asylum leads to lawful permanent residence after one year; withholding of removal prevents deportation but does not provide a path to a green card. Adjustment of status, if you are eligible through a family- or employment-based petition, can also be pursued in removal proceedings. Voluntary departure is a last-resort option that allows you to leave the U.S. At your own expense without a final order of removal, which may preserve future immigration options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss my removal hearing at the Arlington Immigration Court?
If you miss your hearing, the immigration judge may order you removed in absentia. An in absentia order means you were deported without being present. You may file a motion to reopen the case if you can show that you did not receive proper notice, or that exceptional circumstances prevented your attendance. The motion must be filed quickly, and meeting the legal standard is difficult without an attorney. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel assist Southwest Waterfront residents with evaluating whether a motion to reopen is viable and, if so, preparing the detailed filing required by the immigration court.
Do I need a lawyer for removal proceedings?
Removal proceedings are complex legal actions, and you are not entitled to a free attorney from the government. You may represent yourself, but the immigration court treats you the same as a licensed attorney, expecting you to know the rules of evidence and procedure. An experienced removal defense lawyer can identify defenses you may not know exist, gather supporting evidence from your home country, and cross-examine government witnesses. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team focus on building thorough removal defenses for each client. To discuss representation, call (888) 437-7747.
Can I get a bond if I am detained during removal proceedings?
You may be eligible for a bond hearing where an immigration judge determines if you can be released from custody while your case proceeds. The judge considers whether you are a flight risk or a danger to the community. Certain criminal convictions make you subject to mandatory detention without bond. If the judge grants bond, the amount is set based on your ties to the community, family, and employment history. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel prepare clients for bond hearings, present evidence, and argue for a reasonable bond amount. The Arlington Immigration Court schedules bond hearings quickly when a client is in custody.
What is the difference between removal and deportation?
Deportation is the older term for the legal process of expelling a non-citizen from the United States; removal is the current term used under the Immigration and Nationality Act since 1996. They refer to the same basic process. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles both terms interchangeably and represents clients facing removal proceedings whether the case is called deportation or removal. The important point is that a removal order bans you from returning to the U.S. For a period of years—or permanently if you have an aggravated felony conviction. An experienced removal defense attorney can explain the consequences specific to your situation.
How long do removal proceedings take at the Arlington Immigration Court?
The timeline for removal proceedings varies significantly based on the court’s calendar, the type of relief sought, and whether any appeals are taken. A straightforward case might conclude in several months; a contested case with multiple witnesses, expert testimony, and a decision appeal could extend for over a year. The Arlington Immigration Court, which serves DC residents, has its own docket schedule. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel manage expectations and keep clients informed as their cases progress. To get a preliminary assessment of your likely timeline, contact our firm at (888) 437-7747.
What is cancellation of removal?
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows certain non-citizens in removal proceedings to get lawful permanent resident status if they meet strict statutory requirements. For lawful permanent residents, the requirements include five years of permanent residence, seven years of continuous residence after admission, and no aggravated felony conviction. For non-permanent residents, the requirements include ten years of continuous physical presence, good moral character, and a showing of dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying relative. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate the strength of a cancellation case and prepare the evidence package for the immigration court.
Can I travel outside the U.S. While my removal case is pending?
If you are in removal proceedings, traveling abroad is usually not advisable because it could result in your being barred from reentering the United States. Departing while a removal case is pending may cause the immigration court to deem your application abandoned. If you have an urgent need to travel, discuss it with your attorney before making any plans. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. advises clients on the risks of international travel during removal proceedings. For guidance on your specific situation, reach us at (888) 437-7747.
How does Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team prepare a removal defense?
Preparation begins with a detailed consultation to understand your immigration history, family ties, criminal record, and any fears of returning to your home country. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel then research the law, identify the strongest form of relief, and gather evidence—country conditions reports, affidavits from family and attorneys, and documentation of your time in the United States. They prepare you for testimony and cross-examination. At each hearing, they argue your case before the immigration judge. This thorough preparation is critical because the outcome of a removal case can change the entire course of your life.
What if I have a criminal conviction? Can I still fight removal?
A criminal conviction does not automatically mean you will be deported, but certain convictions trigger mandatory detention and limit your options for relief. The immigration court’s jurisdiction is separate from the criminal courts. An attorney can analyze whether your conviction constitutes an aggravated felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, or a removable offense under the Immigration and Nationality Act. In some cases, post-conviction relief in the criminal court can void the conviction for immigration purposes. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel evaluate criminal-immigration intersection issues for every client. Contact our firm at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your case.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., is a former prosecutor who established the firm in 1997. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. His understanding of how the government builds cases informs his removal defense strategy. He testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team bring focused immigration experience to clients throughout the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood and the wider DC area. To discuss your removal case, reach our firm at (888) 437-7747.
Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder
Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York
Practicing since 1997
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8 U.S.C. § 1229a (removal proceedings)
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