Five Immigration Tips

Any legal matter that involves ICE, Immigration Court or the USCIS must be handled correctly or there could be serious repercussions for you and your family. There are several tips that could save you from difficulty in the future should you have an immigration legal matter that must be addressed.

Read the tips provided below to learn more:

1. If you are notified by ICE to report to the Houston Processing Center or to the Deferred Inspection Center at the Houston Field Operations Office or other Ports of Entry. In many cases, a notification to appear at one of these centers is related to reviewing your immigration status based upon a recent criminal conviction. You could be facing detention under certain circumstances, and the authorities may not allow for an immigration bond to be posted. Any notification to report in to these centers should be addressed with the help of a Houston immigration lawyer that will accompany you and find out the status of your case and what can be done before you report.


2. If you are notified by the Immigration Court to appear at a Master Calendar Hearing. A Master Calendar Hearing is most often a hearing regarding charges that you have violated U.S. immigration law, or an application for asylum has not been granted. You will have received a Notice to Appear at this hearing. The Master Calendar Hearing is the first step of the process of removal from the US. At this hearing, you have the right to tell the Court how you plan to fight the removal. These are short hearings, and the first step in the removal process. It is important that you are represented by an attorney who will present a pleadings form that has your response to the allegations of removability. These are extremely important hearings and should be managed by an attorney familiar with the options available, including withholding of removal, request for asylum or relief under the Torture Convention or if you plan a voluntary departure.


3. How to respond if contacted in person by an officer from ICE. It can be frightening to be contacted in person by an ICE officer. How you conduct yourself is very important. Never raise your voice, confront the ICE officer, or attempt to run away. When you are questioned, it is extremely important that you give accurate information in your answers to their questions, as if you tell falsehoods, give a false name or documentation, it could lead to further complications and trouble that will be more difficult to resolve legally.


4. If you are trying to get a driver's license and do not have legal status. Do not contact ICE and file an application if you are trying to get a driver's license when your immigration status is uncertain. This could flag you and result in legal action to have you removed from the country. If you need a driver's license, the first step is to meet with an immigration lawyer that can review your situation and plan a strategy that will allow you to stay in the U.S.


5. How to get help in any immigration-related matter. If you are planning on applying for any immigration status, whether a visa, a green card, naturalization, asylum, or are in the country illegally and need to resolve your legal status, do not get your information or advice from a notary public or other person that offers legal advice, as your situation could go very wrong. You need to ensure you have legal representation from a lawyer that knows the legal processes and will guide you correctly so you are not deported or run into other legal problems.