Receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA) before an immigration court is one of the most stressful and consequential events an individual or family can face. Deportation—formally known as removal—can mean forced separation from family, employment, and the community one has built in the United States. At Ayala Law Office in Tucson, Arizona, we provide aggressive, knowledgeable representation for individuals facing removal proceedings, helping them assert every available legal defense.

Understanding Removal Proceedings

Removal proceedings are administrative court proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), specifically before an Immigration Judge. These proceedings are initiated when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) files a Notice to Appear (NTA) with the immigration court, alleging that the respondent is removable from the United States under one or more grounds specified in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Removability may be alleged based on a wide range of grounds, including unlawful entry, overstaying a visa, criminal convictions, fraud or misrepresentation, or other violations of immigration law. It is critical to understand that a charge of removability is not the same as a final order of removal—individuals placed in removal proceedings retain the right to appear before an Immigration Judge and present a defense.

Forms of Relief from Removal

Deportation defense often involves identifying and pursuing applicable forms of relief from removal. Depending on the individual's circumstances, the following forms of relief may be available:

• Cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents or non-LPRs meeting specific residency and hardship criteria

• Adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence if an immigrant visa is immediately available

• Asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT)

• Voluntary departure, which allows the individual to depart without a formal removal order

• Prosecutorial discretion or administrative closure where appropriate

• Motions to terminate based on jurisdictional or procedural defects in the NTA

The Role of Criminal History

Criminal convictions can significantly affect an individual's immigration status and removability. Certain categories of offenses—including aggravated felonies, crimes involving moral turpitude, drug offenses, and domestic violence crimes—carry particularly severe immigration consequences, including bars to relief and mandatory detention.

At Ayala Law Office, we carefully analyze our clients' criminal history in light of applicable immigration law to determine what relief, if any, may be available and to present the strongest possible case before the Immigration Judge.

Motions to Reopen and Appeals

When an individual has already received a final order of removal—whether in absentia or following a hearing—there may still be options available. Motions to reopen allow a respondent to present new evidence or legal arguments to the Immigration Judge. Appeals may be taken to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and, in certain cases, to the U.S. Court of Appeals.



These post-order remedies are subject to strict time limits and procedural requirements. Prompt consultation with an immigration attorney is essential.

Contact Ayala Law Office Today — Serving clients throughout Tucson, AZ and the surrounding region. Schedule your consultation to discuss your immigration matter with an experienced attorney.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Please consult with a qualified immigration attorney at Ayala Law Office for guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.