Deportation Defense Attorneys
Facing deportation is one of the most serious threats an immigrant can face. Novo Legal Group's attorneys have defended clients across all 50 states — from landmark Supreme Court cases to emergency stays filed hours before removal. We fight for your right to remain.
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Facing Deportation? Act Now.
Deportation — formally called "removal" — is the legal process by which the U.S. government forces a non-citizen to leave the country. It can happen at any stage of immigration status: to green card holders, visa holders, DACA recipients, asylum seekers, and people who have lived in the United States for decades. Once a final order of removal is issued, the consequences are severe and, in many cases, permanent.
If you or a family member has been served a Notice to Appear, received a removal order, or has a removal date scheduled: Time is critical. Many defenses have strict filing deadlines. Contact Novo Legal immediately at 303-335-0250 or info@novo-legal.com. Do not wait.
Under the current enforcement climate, removal proceedings are accelerating across the country. The Trump administration has dramatically expanded ICE enforcement, reduced immigration court processing times, and moved to eliminate procedural protections that previously gave immigrants time to build their cases. If you are in removal proceedings or fear deportation, experienced legal representation is more important now than at any previous time.
What to Do Right Now If You Face Deportation
Every removal case is different, but the following steps apply immediately:
Step 1: Do Not Ignore Any Notice or Hearing Date
If you miss an immigration court hearing, the judge will almost certainly issue an order of removal in your absence. A missed hearing creates additional legal complications and may make your case significantly harder to win. Appear at every scheduled hearing, even if you do not yet have an attorney.
Step 2: Preserve All Documents
Gather and protect the following immediately: your immigration documents (visa, green card, any work permits), all court notices and documents received from USCIS or the immigration court, any evidence of your ties to the United States (tax returns, pay stubs, lease agreements, children's birth certificates), and any evidence supporting a defense (country conditions reports if seeking asylum, evidence of qualifying relationships, etc.).
Step 3: Contact an Immigration Attorney Immediately
Many removal defenses — appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), motions to reopen, stays of removal, and federal court petitions — have strict deadlines of 30 to 90 days. Missing these deadlines can permanently close off legal options. Call Novo Legal today at 303-335-0250.
Step 4: Do Not Sign Anything Without Legal Counsel
ICE agents and immigration officials may present you with documents to sign. Do not sign voluntary departure agreements, reinstatement of prior removal orders, or any other documents without speaking to an attorney first. Signing can waive important rights and accelerate your removal.
Step 5: Notify Trusted Family Members
Make sure a trusted person knows your case status, has copies of your important documents, and knows your attorney's contact information. If you are detained, they need to be able to act quickly on your behalf.
Defenses Against Deportation
Being in removal proceedings does not mean deportation is inevitable. Novo Legal Group evaluates every possible legal avenue to fight your case. Common defenses include:
Cancellation of Removal
For certain long-term residents (10 years or more in the U.S.), individuals with LPR status (7 years), or parents of U.S. citizen children, cancellation of removal can result in a green card or continued lawful status. You must demonstrate physical presence, good moral character, and that deportation would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR relatives.
Asylum and Withholding of Removal
If you face persecution in your home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, you may qualify for asylum or withholding of removal. Even if your initial asylum claim was denied, changed country conditions or new evidence may support a motion to reopen.
Convention Against Torture (CAT) Relief
If you would face torture by or with the acquiescence of your government if returned to your home country, you may qualify for protection under the Convention Against Torture. CAT protection is available regardless of criminal history and provides a strong backstop when other relief is unavailable.
Adjustment of Status
If you have an immediate family member who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or an employer who can sponsor you, you may be eligible to adjust status to a green card even while in removal proceedings. The timing and strategy for pursuing adjustment concurrently with removal defense requires careful legal analysis.
Post-Conviction Relief
If your removal is based on a criminal conviction, there may be options to challenge the conviction itself, vacate a guilty plea that was entered without proper immigration consequences advisal, or argue that the conviction does not constitute a deportable offense as a matter of immigration law. Novo Legal works with criminal defense attorneys to explore post-conviction options.
DACA and Special Immigration Statuses
DACA recipients and individuals with TPS, U visas, T visas, or VAWA protections may have defenses and relief options tied to their existing status. These cases require specialized knowledge of both the underlying status and how it interacts with removal proceedings. Learn more about DACA defense →
Prosecutorial Discretion and Administrative Closure
In some circumstances, ICE or the court may agree to close or dismiss removal proceedings. Factors include long ties to the community, U.S. citizen family members, service in the military, age, health, and other humanitarian considerations. This option is less available under the current enforcement environment, but our attorneys know when and how to make the strongest possible case.
The Removal Process: What to Expect
Understanding each stage of the removal process allows you to make informed decisions and meet critical deadlines.
| Stage | What Happens | Key Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Notice to Appear (NTA) | DHS charges you with being removable and initiates proceedings in immigration court. | File change of address if applicable. Attend all hearings. |
| Master Calendar Hearing | First appearance before an immigration judge. You enter pleadings and the judge schedules future hearings. | Prepare pleadings. Identify relief to seek. Hire attorney if not yet done. |
| Individual Merits Hearing | Full hearing on your case. Evidence presented, witnesses testify. Judge decides. | File all applications for relief in advance (deadlines set by judge). Submit all evidence. |
| Immigration Judge Decision | Judge issues a decision: relief granted, removal ordered, or case continued. | If adverse: 30-day deadline to appeal to BIA. |
| BIA Appeal | Board of Immigration Appeals reviews the immigration judge's decision. | 30 days to file notice of appeal; brief deadlines set by BIA. |
| Federal Circuit Court | If BIA dismisses appeal, petition for review in U.S. Court of Appeals. | 30 days from BIA decision to file petition for review. |
| Stay of Removal | Emergency filing to halt removal while legal review continues. | As soon as removal date is scheduled. File immediately. |
Important: Deadlines in removal cases are strictly enforced. Missing a deadline — even by one day — can permanently foreclose a legal option. Novo Legal tracks all case deadlines with precision and files emergency motions when necessary.
Third-Country Deportations: A Critical Emerging Issue
Since 2025, the Trump administration has been deporting individuals to countries other than their home countries — sending people to Colombia, Panama, El Salvador, and Costa Rica without their consent, even when they have no ties to those countries. This practice raises serious constitutional questions and has been challenged in federal court.
Novo Legal's Alma David is one of the nation's leading attorneys fighting third-country deportations and has been quoted on this issue by The New York Times, Washington Post, Associated Press, NBC News, CBS, and dozens of other outlets. If you or a family member is facing deportation to a third country, this is free assistance — Alma handles these cases at no cost to clients.
Learn more about third-country deportation defense (free assistance) →
Media Coverage: National Recognition of Our Expertise
When journalists need to understand complex deportation and immigration enforcement issues, they call Novo Legal Group. Our attorneys have been quoted by every major U.S. news outlet, establishing us as the recognized national experts in deportation defense.
Alma David quoted on administration's third-country deportation policy and its legal challenges
Aaron Elinoff coverage: landmark cannabis-immigration case and Gardner-Warren legislation
Luis Cortes Romero subject of documentary "From Here/From There" (July 2024)
Aaron Elinoff featured in groundbreaking cannabis immigration coverage with national reach
Alma David quoted on third-country deportations — syndicated to 50+ outlets nationwide
Luis Cortes Romero profiled: first undocumented attorney to argue before U.S. Supreme Court
Our Deportation Defense Team
Luis Cortes Romero
The first undocumented attorney to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court in DHS v. Regents, preserving DACA protections for 700,000+ recipients. Subject of the PBS documentary "From Here/From There." Luis leads our most complex removal defense cases and federal court appeals.
Aaron Elinoff
Aaron has represented immigrants at every stage of the removal process — from master calendar hearings through federal circuit appeals. His landmark cannabis-immigration case generated national coverage from CNN and the Washington Post and catalyzed bipartisan federal legislation.
Alma David
Alma is one of the nation's most-quoted attorneys on deportation policy, with coverage from the New York Times, Associated Press, and NBC News. She specializes in removal appeals, bond hearings, and the emerging area of third-country deportation defense — which she handles on a pro bono basis.
Bryce Downer
Bryce has defended sanctuary activists in landmark Colorado cases and represents detained immigrants in bond hearings. His work on the Jeanette Vizguerra and Jorge Araiza Avila cases established his reputation as a fearless advocate for clients facing imminent removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does deportation take?
Deportation timelines vary significantly. Expedited removal can happen within days or weeks for people apprehended at or near the border. Standard removal proceedings through immigration court typically take months to years, depending on court backlog, case complexity, and appeals. In 2026, immigration courts are under significant pressure to accelerate proceedings. Do not assume you have time — contact an attorney immediately.
Can I stop a deportation order that has already been issued?
Yes, in many cases. Options include filing an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (within 30 days of the order), petitioning a federal circuit court for review (within 30 days of a BIA decision), filing a motion to reopen or reconsider if new evidence exists, or applying for an emergency stay of removal. The sooner you act, the more options are available. Call Novo Legal immediately.
What is an emergency stay of removal?
An emergency stay of removal is a legal filing asking a court to temporarily halt a removal while legal arguments are reviewed. It is often filed when a removal date is imminent. The filing must be accompanied by substantive legal arguments showing a likelihood of success on the merits and that removal would cause irreparable harm. Novo Legal has extensive experience filing emergency stays in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.
I have a green card. Can I still be deported?
Yes. Green card holders (lawful permanent residents) can be deported for certain criminal convictions, immigration fraud, abandoning their permanent resident status, or other grounds under the Immigration and Nationality Act. If you are a green card holder facing deportation, you may have additional defenses available — including cancellation of removal and adjustment of status — that are not available to non-LPR immigrants. Contact an attorney immediately.
What happens to my children if I am deported?
U.S.-citizen children are not deported with you — they are citizens and have the right to remain in the United States. However, the practical effect on families is devastating. Your family should create a plan in advance: designate a guardian for your children, set up a power of attorney, and consult an attorney about whether your children's U.S. citizenship creates any defenses in your removal case (for example, through cancellation of removal on hardship grounds).
Can I be deported to a country I have never lived in?
The U.S. government has been deporting individuals to third countries — not their countries of birth or citizenship — since 2025. This practice is being actively challenged in federal court. Novo Legal's Alma David is one of the nation's leading attorneys fighting third-country deportations, and she handles these cases at no cost to clients. Learn more →
What is voluntary departure and should I accept it?
Voluntary departure allows you to leave the U.S. on your own within a specified time period instead of being formally deported. It avoids some — but not all — of the negative consequences of a formal removal order. However, accepting voluntary departure waives your right to seek further relief and may not be in your best interest. Never agree to voluntary departure without speaking to an immigration attorney first.
How quickly can Novo Legal respond in an emergency removal situation?
If you or a family member has an imminent removal date, call us immediately: 303-335-0250. We have emergency protocols for cases with imminent removal dates, including after-hours consultation, emergency stay filings, and same-day representation coordination. Time is the most critical factor in last-minute removal defense — the sooner you call, the more we can do.
Don't Face Deportation Alone
With 25,000+ cases and a 97% success rate, Novo Legal Group's deportation defense attorneys are ready to fight for your right to remain. Emergency consultations available — call us now.
For Attorneys: Novo Legal welcomes referrals and co-counsel arrangements on removal defense, BIA appeals, and federal court litigation. Contact us at info@novo-legal.com
Related Practice Areas
Deportation often intersects with other areas of immigration law. Explore how Novo Legal defends clients across every dimension of the immigration system.
Legal Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and results depend on specific facts and circumstances. This page may constitute attorney advertising. Novo Legal Group, P.C. is licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado. Contact us at info@novo-legal.com or 303-335-0250.