What is a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration proceedings?

A Notice to Appear is the official charging document that initiates removal proceedings against a non-citizen, containing allegations about immigration status and grounds for removal. The NTA instructs you when and where to appear before an immigration judge for your first hearing, called a master calendar hearing. Carefully reviewing this document with a Pennsylvania removal attorney is crucial as it outlines the government's case against you and contains important deadlines that affect your defense strategy.

What is cancellation of removal and who qualifies?

Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows certain non-citizens in removal proceedings to remain in the U.S. and obtain lawful permanent residence if they meet specific eligibility requirements. For non-permanent residents, qualifications typically include 10 years of continuous physical presence in the U.S., good moral character, no disqualifying criminal convictions, and proof that removal would cause "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to a qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. Legal permanent residents facing removal have different criteria, generally requiring 7 years of continuous residence after lawful admission and no aggravated felony convictions.

What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing?

If you miss your immigration court hearing, the judge will likely order you removed "in absentia," meaning you can be deported without further opportunity to present your case. This removal order becomes effective immediately and severely limits your future immigration options, including potential bars to returning to the United States for years. In limited circumstances, you may be able to reopen your case by filing a motion demonstrating that your absence was due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control or that you never received proper notice of the hearing.

How can criminal convictions affect my immigration case?

Criminal convictions can trigger removal proceedings, block eligibility for relief from deportation, and prevent naturalization even for long-term permanent residents. Immigration law categorizes certain offenses as "aggravated felonies" or "crimes involving moral turpitude," which carry particularly severe immigration consequences regardless of the sentence imposed or how minor the offense might be under criminal law. An experienced immigration attorney may be able to pursue post-conviction relief to modify or vacate certain criminal dispositions specifically to mitigate their immigration consequences.

What is voluntary departure and should I accept it?

Voluntary departure is an immigration benefit that allows you to leave the United States at your own expense within a specified time period instead of being formally deported. This option preserves your ability to legally return to the U.S. sooner than if you were ordered deported, as it helps you avoid the 5- or 10-year reentry bars that accompany formal removal orders. However, accepting voluntary departure means surrendering any claims for relief from removal, so this decision should only be made after thorough consultation with an experienced immigration attorney who has evaluated all potential defenses in your specific case.

How long do removal proceedings typically last in Pennsylvania?

Removal proceedings in Pennsylvania immigration courts typically last between 8 months and 3 years from the initial master calendar hearing to the final decision, depending on case complexity and current court backlogs. Cases involving applications for relief such as asylum or cancellation of removal generally take longer due to the evidentiary requirements and the need for individual merits hearings, which may be scheduled many months in advance. Throughout this period, you may remain in the United States with potential eligibility for work authorization while your case moves through the immigration court system.

Pennsylvania Removal Lawyer | Removal Defense Attorney in Media, PA

Removal Defense Attorney in Media, PA Defending Against Removal Proceedings in Delaware County, Philadelphia County, Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, and Throughout The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

When your future in the United States is at stake, you need a dedicated Pennsylvania removal lawyer with courtroom experience to effectively advocate for you. Our deep understanding of both immigration courts and criminal proceedings gives us unique insight into the most complex removal cases, allowing us to identify options and defense strategies that others might overlook. At Santee Law Offices, we combine immigration law with criminal defense experience to create powerful strategies for our clients.

Don't face removal proceedings alone. Contact Santee Law Offices today for a confidential consultation through our online contact form. Attorney Santee knows how to fight effectively when your future in America hangs in the balance.

Types of Relief from Removal or Deportation

Removal defense involves representing immigrants facing deportation from the United States. Legal representation is the single most important factor in determining whether someone will win or lose their case. Here are the primary forms of relief that may be available:

Adjustment of Status

A way to obtain legal status in the United States, typically requiring lawful entry (with some exceptions). This allows changing from nonimmigrant to immigrant status under INA Section 245(a) or 245(i).

Renewal of Conditional Residence

If you're placed in removal proceedings due to a denied or untimely I-751 petition, you can often renew your petition before an Immigration Judge as a defense.

Asylum and Related Protections

Asylum: Protection for those fleeing persecution, providing legal status, work authorization, and eventually a Green Card.
Withholding of removal: Requires meeting a higher persecution standard than asylum but allows recipients to remain with work authorization.
Convention Against Torture (CAT): Protection for those likely to be tortured by their government or forces it cannot control.

Criminal Waivers and Cancellation of Removal

Criminal waivers (212(c), 212(h)): Help permanent residents facing deportation due to criminal convictions
VAWA cancellation: Available to victims of battery or extreme cruelty by qualifying relatives
Non-LPR cancellation: Requires 10 years of physical presence and proving "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to qualifying relatives

Special Visas and Programs

U visas: For crime victims who assist in investigations
DACA: For certain individuals brought to the U.S. as children
TPS and NACARA: Protect nationals from countries with unsafe conditions or certain Central American and Eastern European immigrants

Last Resort Options

Voluntary departure: Allows leaving without an order of removal on your record
Deferred action: Temporarily puts your case on hold without granting legal status
Prosecutorial discretion: Government decision to stop deportation proceedings, potentially allowing work authorization but no travel rights

At Santee Law Offices, we evaluate each client's unique circumstances to determine which forms of relief may be available. Every case is different, and our experienced removal defense attorney in Media, PA, works to identify all possible pathways to prevent removal and secure your legal status in the United States.

Facing Immigration Issues?

Speak with a trusted immigration lawyer in Media, PA.

Schedule Your Consultation

215-935-4481

How Santee Law Offices Can Help With Your Removal Case

Facing removal proceedings requires the skills of a dedicated removal lawyer who understands both immigration law and effective courtroom advocacy. At Santee Law Offices, we combine over two decades of legal experience with a creative problem-solving approach to build the strongest possible defense for clients fighting to remain in the United States.

Comprehensive Legal Strategy Development

When facing removal proceedings, having a skilled Pennsylvania removal lawyer can make the difference between staying in the United States and being forced to leave. At Santee Law Offices, we begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your immigration history, current status, and the specific allegations against you. We identify all potential forms of relief available in your unique situation, which may include cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, or waivers of inadmissibility. Our approach is methodical and exhaustive—we leave no stone unturned when developing your defense strategy.

Experienced Representation in Immigration Court

Immigration court proceedings can be overwhelming and confusing for those unfamiliar with the process. Pennsylvania removal lawyer David Santee brings many years of courtroom experience to your case, skillfully presenting evidence, examining witnesses, and making compelling legal arguments before immigration judges. His background as a former Assistant Dean for Trial Advocacy at Villanova Law School means he possesses advanced litigation techniques that many immigration attorneys simply don't have. We handle all required filings, prepare you thoroughly for hearings, and advocate passionately on your behalf throughout the entire removal process.

Addressing Criminal Complications in Removal Cases

Many removal cases involve criminal charges or convictions that trigger deportation proceedings. At Santee Law Offices, we represent clients in this intersection of criminal and immigration law, often called "crimmigration." We work to mitigate the immigration consequences of criminal matters through post-conviction relief, strategic plea negotiations, or by challenging the government's characterization of your criminal history. Our dual experience in both areas of law allows us to develop more effective strategies than firms that practice exclusively in either immigration or criminal defense.

Emergency Response to Detention Situations

ICE detention requires immediate legal intervention. We provide rapid response services for clients who have been detained, working quickly to secure bond hearings and release from custody while removal proceedings are pending. Our Pennsylvania removal lawyer understands the time-sensitive nature of detention cases and prioritizes these emergency situations to reunite families as quickly as possible.

Why Choose an Experienced Removal Defense Attorney in Media, PA, at Santee Law Offices for Your Case?

Facing removal from the United States can be an overwhelming experience that threatens to separate you from family, employment, and the life you've built. The selection of your legal representation during this critical time should not be taken lightly, as it may determine whether you can remain in the country or must leave.

Personalized strategic approach: Unlike high-volume immigration firms, we limit our caseload to ensure each client receives personalized attention. Your case will be handled directly by Attorney David Santee, not passed off to junior associates or paralegals.
Extensive courtroom experience: With hundreds of trials and thousands of court appearances, our removal defense attorney in Media, PA, brings litigation skills rarely found in immigration practice.
Creative problem-solving: We're known for finding innovative legal solutions in seemingly hopeless cases, approaching each matter with fresh eyes and determination.
Comprehensive understanding of relief options: We explore every potential avenue for relief, including cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, waivers, and prosecutorial discretion.
Dual expertise in immigration and criminal law: Our experience in both fields allows us to address the complex interplay between criminal charges and immigration consequences.
Compassionate client service: We understand the emotional toll removal proceedings take on you and your family, providing clear communication and support throughout the process.
Strategic use of expert witnesses: When necessary, we collaborate with country conditions experts, psychological evaluators, and other specialists to strengthen your case.
Appellate experience: If your case requires appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals or federal courts, we have the advanced legal writing and advocacy skills needed for these complex procedures.

At Santee Law Offices, we don't just represent you in court—we stand beside you throughout one of life's most challenging experiences, fighting tirelessly for your right to remain in the United States with every legal tool at our disposal.

About Removal Cases in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's immigration courts have undergone significant changes since the 1996 reforms that expanded deportable offenses and limited relief options. Today, courts in Philadelphia and York handle thousands of increasingly complex removal cases annually, making experienced representation essential.

If you're facing removal proceedings, you are not alone. Many immigrants successfully fight removal with proper legal representation, as pathways often exist that only an experienced immigration attorney can identify and effectively pursue.

Contact the Experienced Pennsylvania Removal Lawyer at Santee Law Offices for a Case Evaluation

Don't let fear or uncertainty prevent you from fighting for your right to remain in the United States. At Santee Law Offices, we offer the legal skill, courtroom experience, and genuine commitment needed to navigate the complexities of removal proceedings. As your Pennsylvania removal lawyer, Attorney David Santee will analyze your unique situation, explain your options in clear terms, and develop a strategic defense tailored to your specific circumstances.

Take the first step toward protecting your future in America by scheduling a consultation today—either through our secure online contact form or by calling our office directly. Every day matters in removal cases, so don't delay in securing the professional legal guidance you need during this critical time.

Pennsylvania Removal Lawyer