ATTENTION: If someone you love has recently been detained, every minute counts.
Tell The Immigration Judge
You Deserve To Stay
Cancellation of removal lets some immigrants appeal for green cards after they're detained. To qualify, you must meet four conditions.
CONTINUOUS PRESENCE
GOOD MORAL CHARACTER
QUALIFYING RELATIVE
EXTREMELY
UNUSUAL HARDSHIP
You must have lived exclusively in the U.S. for the 10 years before your were placed in removal proceedings. If you left the country, it could only have been once for less than 90 days or multiple times for a total of less than 180 days.
You must have a nonexistent or very limited criminal history, meaning no serious felonies and few misdemeanors. You should volunteer, go to church, help your family, pay taxes, and do other things that make you a good community member.
You must have a spouse, parent, or child who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. This person is your qualifying relative and will be the basis upon which you build your case.
You must be able to show that if you are removed from the U.S., your qualifying relative will suffer "exceptional and extremely unusual hardship." This is a legal standard that means more than just missing you.
Get A Work Permit And Driver's License
While your case is being processed, you'll be eligible for these benefits, along with a social security number. If you win, you'll get a green card.
What If I'm Not Eligible?
If you don't meet the requirements for cancellation of removal,
be wary of people who want to charge you to start your case.
Certain scammers take advantage of immigrants
by making empty promises in exchange for hefty fees.
Don't listen to lies. We tell you the truth, even if it's unpleasant.
And we help you identify all the options you may left.
Get Special Consideration
We can ask immigration to exercise prosecutorial discretion and terminate or close your deportation case.
WHAT IS IT?
Discretion = the ability to choose to do or not to do something
Prosecute = carry out legal proceedings against someone
When we ask ICE or USCIS to exercise prosecutorial discretion for you, we ask them to close your case or stop deporting you.
WHY WOULD THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DEPORT ME?
Government agencies only have so many employees and resources. They want to focus on removing criminals and generally support keeping families together. If you present a compelling a case that aligns with their values, they may excuse you and move their attention to other, more pressing cases.
WHO CAN QUALIFY?
You are most likely to be granted prosecutorial discretion if you have an I-130 petition filed or submitted for you or if you qualify for immigration benefits via adjustment of status, the provisional waiver program, or a U-visa. It is important that your criminal history be clean or nearly so.
WHAT ELSE DO THEY CONSIDER?
Immigration may also take into account your immigration history, employment, military history, education, ties to the U.S., family situation, home country conditions, age, health, and more. We'll assess all these factors when preparing our request for you, but ultimately the decision is up to immigration.
Get Special Consideration
We can ask immigration to exercise prosecutorial discretion and terminate or close your removal proceedings. Note: This is currently not permitted under the Trump administration.
WHAT IS IT?
Discretion = the ability to choose to do or not to do something
Prosecute = carry out legal proceedings against someone
When we ask DHS or the immigration court to exercise prosecutorial discretion for you, we ask them to close your removal case. This means that deporting you isn't a priority for them.
WHY WOULD THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DEPORT ME?
Government agencies only have so many employees and resources. They want to focus on removing criminals and generally support keeping families together. If you present a compelling a case that aligns with their values, they may excuse you and move their attention to other, more pressing cases.
WHO CAN QUALIFY?
You may be a good candidate if you can show that you have little to no criminal history, have demonstrated good moral character (such as paying taxes and contributing positively to your community) proof of any qualifying relatives you have, and for certain individuals, that you are eligible for immigration benefits through a pending application with USCIS such as an I-130 or U-visa.
See if someone could submit an I-130 petition for you.
Entered the U.S. with a visa? You may be able to adjust status.
Victim of a crime? Learn about the U-visa
Spouse or child of a U.S. citizen of permanent resident? Learn about the waiver.
WHAT ELSE DO THEY CONSIDER?
Immigration may also take into account your immigration history, employment, military history, education, ties to the U.S., family situation, home country conditions, age, health, and more. We'll assess all these factors when preparing our request for you, but ultimately the decision is up to immigration.
DOES IT COME WITH A GREEN CARD?
No. If you're granted prosecutorial discretion, your removal case is still considered “pending." Even though you are no longer scheduled to appear for any hearings, you may have to periodically check in with a local immigration office. Receiving prosecutorial discretion does not make you eligible for legal status or a work permit.
If you are eligible for employment authorization or residency through another application, you will need to file these applications with USCIS separately. If you are able to apply for residency you will need to request that your removal case before the Immigration Court be terminated completely so that you have no pending case with the court.
Voluntary Departure
Leaving the U.S. voluntarily can be a good option if you're in removal proceedings but unable to start or unlikely to win a cancellation case or prosecutorial discretion request.
Benefits include:
2 to 4 times more time to get your affairs in order before leaving the country
no deportation order on your record
no mandatory ban on returning to the U.S. legally in the future
Need
Help Now?
If you or someone you love has been detained by ICE, cooperate with the officers, but seek legal help before signing any papers. Get an attorney's recommendation as soon as possible.
