Houston Deportation And Removal Defense Attorney
The Zavala Law Firm understands the complex legal climate surrounding Deportation’s and Removals
Going through deportation or removal proceedings alone is stressful and almost impossible to accomplish successfully without good legal representation. We can help you in your deportation and removal defense in Houston or anywhere else in the United States. Zavala Law Firm, PLLC is capable of providing excellent representation in your case.
Common Grounds for Deportation Proceedings
The deportation process is initiated when the Department of Homeland Security issues a Notice to Appear charging you inadmissible to or deportable from the U.S. We defend individuals threatened with deportation or removal because of:
- A criminal conviction
- Overstaying a visa
- Immigration fraud or violation
- Employment violations
- Entering the country illegally
- Unlawful presence
- Final Order of Removal/Deportation after a denial of asylum
- Failing to depart after a grant of voluntary departure; or
- Being arrested and convicted of a serious crime such as domestic violence, illegal possession of a firearm or drug possession.
If you have a family member detained by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) we can provide a legal visit in the detention center and assess the immigration charges. In many cases, we can help you request and provide representation for a bond hearing or reopen a prior deportation case.
Asylum or Withholding of Removal
If you cannot return to your home country due to a well-founded fear that you may be persecuted due to your race, religion, nationality, social status, or political beliefs, you may qualify for relief from removal through a petition for asylum, withholding or removal, or Convention Against Torture (CAT).
- Asylum gives you authorized protection from the U.S. government. Form I-589
- Withholding of removal has a higher legal standard than asylum and prohibits deportation if there is a clear probability or more than a 50% chance that you will be persecuted in your home country
- Convention Against Torture – “more likely than not” that you would be tortured
We can assist you whether you have fled your country seeking asylum or are in the U.S. illegally and have a real fear of being persecuted if deported back.
Cancellation of Removal
If you have a green card but have a criminal conviction on your record and have been placed into removal proceedings, you may qualify for cancellation of removal.
For Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR):
- You have spent 7 years of continuous residence in the U.S. after having been lawfully admitted
- You had a green card for 5 years before committing a crime or getting into removal proceedings,
- Never been convicted of an aggravated felony
- Shown rehabilitation or remorse
If you are an undocumented immigrant and do not have a green card, there may be a way to avoid deportation if you:
- Have been physically present in the US for no less than 10 years
- Have not been convicted of certain crimes
- Your deportation would cause “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship” to a spouse, child, or parent who is the United States, Citizen or permanent resident
Work with an experienced and compassionate immigration attorney who will fight for your rights in
At Zavala Immigration Lawyer, our experienced Deportation / Removal Defense & Bonds team fights aggressively to protect your rights in immigration court when you’re facing removal proceedings, bond hearings, asylum claims, cancellation of removal, stays of removal, or other forms of relief from deportation. We understand how stressful removal proceedings can be and provide strategic advocacy tailored to each client’s circumstances. If your case also involves family-based visas or adjustment of status issues, see our Immigration for Families page for support with spouse, fiancé(e), and green card petitions.