Removal Defense Lawyer New York, NY
Facing removal proceedings in New York can be overwhelming. Immigration courts at 26 Federal Plaza and Varick Street in Manhattan hear thousands of cases each year, and a federal order of removal can mean separation from family, loss of employment authorization, and a long-term bar to returning to the United States. New York’s strong sanctuary policies limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, but they do not stop removal proceedings once the Department of Homeland Security files a Notice to Appear. Representation by an attorney who understands removal defense in New York City’s immigration courts can make a critical difference in challenging the government’s charges, applying for relief from removal, and protecting your right to remain in the country. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys represent noncitizens at master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings, bond hearings, and appeals. Since 1997, the firm has served individuals and families in all five boroughs and throughout New York State. To request a consultation about your removal case, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Removal Defense Means in New York
Removal defense is the legal representation of a noncitizen who is placed in removal (deportation) proceedings by the Department of Homeland Security. In New York, removal cases are heard at the New York Immigration Court at 26 Federal Plaza or the Varick Street Immigration Court, both in Manhattan. Some detained cases may be heard through video teleconference from the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility. The New York Asylum Office, also at 26 Federal Plaza, handles affirmative asylum applications separately from the immigration court’s defensive asylum process.
New York City’s sanctuary policies, including Executive Order 41, generally bar city agencies from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests, but these policies do not affect the jurisdiction of the immigration court. Once a Notice to Appear is issued, the respondent must appear at scheduled hearings regardless of local enforcement policies. The immigration judge can order removal in absentia if the respondent fails to appear. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys review each Notice to Appear for procedural defects, including the failure to specify the time and place of the first hearing, which under the Pereira v. Sessions and Niz-Chavez v. Garland line of cases can be a basis to challenge jurisdiction or the stop-time rule for cancellation of removal eligibility. They also evaluate whether the client is eligible for bond, for any form of relief from removal, or for administrative closure or termination of proceedings.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Removal Defense Cases
Every removal defense case begins with a thorough review of the charging document and the client’s immigration history. The firm’s approach focuses on identifying all available forms of relief—asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents and certain non‑lawful permanent residents, adjustment of status, waivers of inadmissibility or deportability, and voluntary departure. If the government’s evidence is weak, the firm may move to terminate proceedings or to suppress evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
During bond hearings, the firm presents evidence that the client is not a flight risk and does not pose a danger to the community, seeking release from detention while the case is pending. At individual merits hearings, the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys present documentary evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine government witnesses. If the immigration judge issues an adverse decision, the firm can file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals and, when appropriate, a petition for review with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Throughout the process, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work to protect the client’s procedural rights and pursue a favorable outcome. Results may vary.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris is Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. He is a former prosecutor and has practiced immigration law since 1997. He is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, and he handles removal defense matters for clients throughout New York City and the surrounding region. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova).
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive combined legal experience in immigration law, including deportation defense, asylum, cancellation of removal, and federal appellate practice. Working together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys address each removal case with careful attention to the factual record and the applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. To discuss your case, call (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is removal defense?
Removal defense is the legal representation of a noncitizen who is placed in removal (deportation) proceedings before an immigration judge. A removal defense attorney challenges the government’s charges, identifies forms of relief the client may be eligible for, and advocates for the client at hearings. Common forms of relief include asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and waivers. Without an attorney, a person in removal proceedings must navigate a complex federal process alone, which can significantly reduce the chance of a favorable outcome.
How do I stop deportation in New York?
Stopping deportation requires presenting a defense or an application for relief to the immigration judge. You cannot stop deportation simply by living in a sanctuary city—New York City’s policies do not apply to federal immigration court proceedings. An attorney can assess whether you have grounds for asylum, cancellation of removal, or another form of relief, and can file the appropriate application with supporting evidence. The process requires attending all scheduled hearings and complying with court deadlines. To discuss your situation, call (888) 437-7747.
What are the grounds for cancellation of removal?
There are two types of cancellation of removal: one for lawful permanent residents and one for certain non-permanent residents. Lawful permanent residents may qualify if they have been a permanent resident for at least five years, have resided in the United States continuously for seven years after admission, and have not been convicted of an aggravated felony. Non‑permanent residents must show ten years of continuous physical presence, good moral character, and that removal would cause dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying relative who is a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Do I need a lawyer for removal proceedings?
You are not required to have a lawyer for removal proceedings, but having one significantly increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. Immigration law is complex, and the government is represented by an attorney. An experienced removal defense lawyer can identify errors in the Notice to Appear, preserve appellate issues, and present the trusted case for relief. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be able to obtain representation through a nonprofit organization, but limited resources mean many individuals proceed without counsel. For a consultation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How much does a removal defense lawyer cost?
The cost of a removal defense lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the type of relief sought, and the attorney’s experience. Fees are typically charged on a flat‑fee basis for a specific phase of representation, such as bond proceedings, master calendar representation, or a full individual hearing. Because each removal case is different, it is important to discuss fees during an initial consultation. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. offers consultations by appointment; call (888) 437-7747 to learn more.
What happens at a master calendar hearing?
A master calendar hearing is a short initial hearing where the immigration judge addresses procedural matters. The judge explains the charges on the Notice to Appear, asks whether the respondent admits or denies the allegations, and identifies the forms of relief the respondent intends to apply for. The judge may set deadlines for filing applications and schedule an individual merits hearing. It is important to have an attorney at the master calendar hearing to respond to the charges and preserve the right to seek relief. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys can appear with you at the master calendar and throughout all subsequent proceedings.
For official information, visit the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the New York Immigration Court, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Additional pages: Removal Defense Lawyer Manhattan | Removal Defense Lawyer Brooklyn | Removal Defense Lawyer Queens | Removal Defense Lawyer Bronx
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