DEPORTATION DEFENSE

Removal cases move at very different speeds depending on whether a person is detained.

Detained courts run on extremely fast timelines. Hearings may occur within days or weeks, and judges often expect a full case—applications, evidence, and witnesses—to be ready quickly. Bond hearings, custody reviews, and rapid scheduling make legal representation essential.
Non-detained courts move much slower. Cases can take months or years, giving families more time to gather evidence, file applications, and prepare for trial. However, delays don’t mean safety—individuals must still attend every hearing and comply with all court requirements.

CEDILLO LAW FIRM

Removal proceedings are the court process the government uses to decide whether someone can remain in the United States. These cases are heard in Immigration Court, which is part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), not the regular criminal courts. Although immigrants have important due-process rights, the system is very different from criminal court: there is no right to a court-appointed lawyer, no jury, and the judge has broad authority to make findings based both on the law and the evidence presented. Every person has the right to present a defense, submit documents, call witnesses, and be treated fairly under the law.

What Are Removal Proceedings?

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Detained vs. Non-Detained Courts

At Cedillo Law Firm, we stand with our immigrant community when it matters most. Deportation defense is not just legal work to us—it’s protecting families, safeguarding futures, and fighting back against a system that often feels overwhelming and unfair. Whether our clients are detained, facing complex charges, or terrified of being separated from their loved ones, we move quickly, fight strategically, and defend their rights with everything we have. Your story matters here, and we are ready to stand between you and the government every step of the way.

Common Forms of Relief From Removal

Adjustment of Status Based on a Family Petition or U-Visa

Many people can still apply for a green card even while in removal proceedings. If a person has an approved marriage-based petition, or qualifies for a U-Visa because they were a victim of a qualifying crime, the immigration judge may allow them to apply for permanent residency inside the court process. This path can erase the removal case entirely once approved.

Cancellation of Removal (42B)

For long-time immigrants without status, Cancellation of Removal may provide a way to stay. To qualify, a person generally must show 10 years of continuous physical presence, good moral character, and that a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member would suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if they were deported. This relief can grant a green card if approved.

Asylum, Withholding of Removal & Protection Under the Convention Against Torture

If someone fears harm, persecution, or torture in their home country, they may qualify for asylum or related protections. Asylum requires showing a fear of persecution based on a protected ground (such as race, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group). Withholding of removal and CAT protection offer similar—but more limited—safety for those who cannot return home.

How We Defend Our Clients

At Cedillo Law Firm, we take a comprehensive approach to deportation defense. We investigate the government’s allegations, challenge weak evidence, file motions, pursue bonds, and build strong applications for relief. We prepare our clients for court, gather supporting documents, work closely with family members, and ensure every client understands their rights and options. Our goal is simple: protect your future, defend your dignity, and fight for your right to stay in the United States.

Appeals & Writs

If the immigration judge makes a mistake or denies relief incorrectly, the fight isn’t over. We represent clients before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and, when necessary, in federal court through Petitions for Review or Writs of Habeas Corpus. Appeals and writs can correct legal errors, challenge unlawful detention, and keep families together while the case continues.

Motions to Terminate Removal Proceedings

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In some cases, the best defense is proving the government’s case should never have been filed in the first place. When DHS relies on incorrect charges, defective paperwork, missing signatures, inaccurate criminal records, or legally improper grounds of removability, we can file a Motion to Terminate. Termination ends the removal proceedings entirely. Our firm has successfully obtained termination for clients by exposing these fatal flaws, challenging the government’s evidence, and holding DHS to its burden of proof.

Deportation cases are some of the toughest battles a family can face, but you never have to face them alone. At Cedillo Law Firm, we bring skill, strategy, and relentless advocacy to every stage of the fight—from bond hearings and trial to appeals and federal writs. We stand with our clients, protect their rights, and push back against every unfair barrier the system puts in their way. When your future in this country is on the line, we are the team you want in your corner.