Whether you’re in Cleveland, Columbus, Independence, Oxford, or anywhere else in Ohio, we offer trusted legal advocacy to individuals and families facing the threat of deportation. Our multilingual legal team provides compassionate, competent support throughout the entire removal process, backed by years of immigration law experience.
Common Causes for Removal (Deportation)
Deportation, also known as removal, is the legal process through which non-citizens are ordered to leave the United States. This can affect lawful
permanent residents (green card holders), temporary visa holders,
asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants alike. In Cleveland, Ohio, and throughout the state, individuals may find themselves in removal proceedings for a variety of reasons, many of which fall under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), specifically INA § 237 (deportable aliens) and
INA § 212 (inadmissible aliens).
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we provide experienced deportation defense to help clients understand the allegations against them, identify viable defenses, and build a compelling case for remaining in the U.S.
Common Grounds for Removal Include:
- Criminal Convictions: One of the most common reasons non-citizens are placed in removal proceedings is a criminal conviction. Certain offenses, especially aggravated felonies and crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs), can result in mandatory detention and eventual deportation. These may include theft, fraud, assault, or offenses involving deceit or violence. Even seemingly minor crimes can have severe immigration consequences.
- Drug Offenses: Convictions for drug possession, manufacturing, or trafficking are taken seriously under immigration law. Even possession of small amounts of controlled substances, such as marijuana over 30 grams, can lead to removal. In Cleveland, Ohio, we frequently see immigrants charged with drug crimes unaware that even a plea deal can trigger deportation.
- Illegal Possession of Firearms: Non-citizens are subject to strict federal regulations regarding firearm ownership. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking firearms while lacking lawful immigration status, or in violation of specific restrictions, can lead to deportation proceedings.
- Fraud or Misrepresentation: Making a false statement to immigration officials or submitting fraudulent documents, such as fake marriage certificates or false employment records, can result in a charge of fraud or willful misrepresentation, both of which carry the consequence of inadmissibility or removal. These charges often arise during adjustment of status or naturalization applications.
- Domestic Violence and Child Abuse: Under INA § 237(a)(2)(E), individuals convicted of domestic violence, stalking, or child abuse, including violations of protective orders, are removable. These cases are often fast-tracked, and alleged offenders may be detained without bond.
- Immigration Violations: Entering the U.S. without inspection, overstaying a visa, or failing to maintain lawful status, such as dropping out of school while on an F-1 visa, are all common grounds for deportation. These are administrative violations, but they carry serious consequences, including immediate removal and long-term bars to reentry.
- False Claims to U.S. Citizenship: Claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a job application, voter registration, or even a federal form like an I-9 is considered a serious offense. Under INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(ii), such a claim may make an individual permanently inadmissible, with few exceptions.
- Failure to Comply with Visa Terms: Visa holders must comply with the conditions of their visa classification. Common violations include:
- Unauthorized employment
- Failing to maintain student status (e.g., dropping below full-time enrollment)
- Remaining in the U.S. after visa expiration
Any of these actions can cause the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to initiate removal proceedings. The Cleveland immigration attorneys at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez are prepared to help you understand and defend your rights.
The Role of the Notice to Appear (NTA)
If you're facing any of these allegations, you will likely receive a Notice to Appear (NTA), a formal document issued by DHS that outlines the specific grounds for removal. The NTA initiates immigration court proceedings and must be taken seriously.
- The charges listed are legally accurate
- The crime actually qualifies as a deportable offense
- Your case qualifies for relief from removal
Removal proceedings do not automatically result in deportation. Many individuals are eligible for cancellation of removal, asylum, waivers, or other forms of relief, but these defenses must be raised and proven before the immigration judge.
Whether you're in Cleveland, Independence, Columbus, or Oxford, Ohio, our attorneys are here to help you understand your legal rights and fight for your chance to remain in the U.S.
How We Can Help You Fight Deportation
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we understand that the threat of deportation can be deeply unsettling and even terrifying, especially for individuals who have lived and worked in the United States for years, built families, and established strong ties to their communities. That’s why our deportation defense attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, work tirelessly to help you remain in the country you now call home.
Our Cleveland immigration legal team has decades of combined experience crafting creative, strategic, and aggressive legal defenses against removal. Every case is different, and we tailor our approach based on your personal history, immigration status, and the legal grounds cited in your Notice to Appear (NTA). Below are some of the most effective and commonly used defenses we explore for clients facing removal proceedings.
1. Seeking Asylum in the U.S.
If returning to your country of origin would place your life or freedom at risk, you may be eligible for asylum under U.S. immigration law. This form of protection is granted to individuals who have suffered past persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution due to one or more of the following grounds:
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Membership in a particular social group
- Political opinion
In Cleveland, Ohio, we’ve helped many asylum seekers present strong applications backed by compelling personal narratives, supporting documentation, witness statements, and expert testimony. If you’re already in removal proceedings, our attorneys can request a hearing before an immigration judge to argue your asylum eligibility directly. Asylum is one of the strongest forms of deportation relief, and it can ultimately lead to permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
2. Cancellation of Removal
Cancellation of removal is another powerful tool available to certain immigrants, including both lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and non-permanent residents. This form of relief cancels the removal order and allows the individual to remain in the U.S., potentially even adjusting their status.
For Non-Permanent Residents:
To qualify, you must prove the following:
- You’ve lived continuously in the United States for at least 10 years
- You have demonstrated good moral character throughout that period
- Your removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouse, parent, or child
This is a high legal threshold, but our team knows how to gather persuasive documentation, medical records, school reports, financial hardship evidence, etc., to demonstrate the deep impact your removal would have on your loved ones.
For Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders):
LPRs may also be eligible if:
- You’ve been a green card holder for at least 5 years
- You have resided in the U.S. continuously for at least 7 years
- You have not been convicted of an aggravated felony
Even lawful residents are not immune from deportation, which is why having a skilled immigration criminal defense attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, is so crucial.
3. Adjustment of Status
If you are eligible for a green card (lawful permanent residency) based on a family relationship, employment sponsorship, or another immigration benefit, you may be able to adjust your status while in removal proceedings. This can stop the deportation process entirely and put you on a path toward permanent residency.
Adjustment of status is commonly available to:
- Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, and children under 21)
- Individuals with pending or approved I-130 petitions
- Individuals eligible for waivers of inadmissibility due to criminal or immigration violations
Our Cleveland deportation defense lawyers regularly help clients file adjustment applications before immigration judges or USCIS and support them with necessary waivers where applicable.
4. Challenging the Grounds for Removal
Sometimes, the best defense is a legal challenge to the government’s claim that you are deportable in the first place. This can involve:
- Arguing that a criminal conviction does not qualify as a deportable offense under immigration law
- Proving that the government has not met its burden of proof
- Identifying constitutional violations or procedural errors in your case
Many immigration judges and DHS prosecutors make mistakes when interpreting criminal records. We conduct a thorough legal analysis of your criminal and immigration history to uncover any grounds for dismissal or termination of proceedings.
5. Prosecutorial Discretion
Sometimes, winning your case means convincing the government not to pursue removal at all. Through a request for prosecutorial discretion, we can ask the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorney to dismiss or administratively close your case.
Strong candidates for prosecutorial discretion often include:
- Individuals with long-term residence in the U.S.
- Parents of U.S. citizen children
- Those with serious health issues or caretaker responsibilities
- Immigrants with no criminal record and strong community ties
Our attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, have successfully negotiated these outcomes, sparing clients the trauma and expense of lengthy litigation.
6. Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
If your home country is experiencing extraordinary conditions, such as armed conflict, environmental disaster, or epidemic, you may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS is granted to nationals from designated countries and allows individuals to remain in the U.S. temporarily with legal work authorization.
While TPS does not provide permanent residency, it can suspend removal proceedings and offer breathing room until conditions improve or another immigration pathway becomes available.
7. U Visas and VAWA Petitions
For immigrants who have been the victims of certain crimes, U visas and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petitions provide both immigration protection and a path to lawful status.
U Visa Eligibility:
You may be eligible if:
- You were the victim of a qualifying crime (e.g., domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, stalking)
- You cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation or prosecution
- You suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of the crime
VAWA Petitions:
You may qualify under VAWA if:
- You are the spouse, child, or parent of a U.S. citizen or green card holder
- You experienced battery or extreme cruelty by that individual
- You can self-petition without your abuser’s knowledge or cooperation
These humanitarian options are powerful tools to halt removal and protect vulnerable individuals from further harm. We handle such cases with discretion, care, and compassion in our Cleveland office and throughout Ohio.
8. Appeals and Stays of Removal
If the immigration judge rules against you, that doesn’t mean your case is over. You have the right to
appeal the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and, if necessary, to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
During this process, we can also request a stay of removal to temporarily prevent deportation while your appeal is pending.
- Appeals allow us to challenge incorrect legal interpretations or factual findings
- Stays of removal can buy you time to gather new evidence or await other immigration relief
- Motions to reopen can be filed if you discover new facts or if your prior attorney failed to adequately represent you
Our attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, are experienced in post-deportation litigation and will exhaust every available option to secure relief and protect your future.
Fighting deportation is a high-stakes process, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we offer personalized legal solutions, in-depth knowledge of both criminal and immigration law in Cleveland, and offices in Independence, Columbus, and Oxford, Ohio, to serve clients across the state.
The Importance of Legal Representation in Deportation Proceedings
Facing deportation is emotionally and legally overwhelming, but hiring the right legal team can make all the difference. Immigrants with legal representation are statistically far more likely to succeed in removal defense than those who go it alone.
Our Cleveland immigration attorneys will:
- Represent you at every hearing in immigration court
- File all motions and documents in a timely manner
- Help gather and present crucial evidence
- Coordinate with your family and community support
- Work to identify all available forms of relief
- Advocate persuasively before the immigration judge
Our Cleveland team has handled cases involving clients from Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, and we understand the cultural, linguistic, and legal challenges you face.
Why Clients Trust Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez
Facing deportation is one of the most stressful and uncertain experiences a person can endure, especially when your life, family, and future are firmly rooted in the United States. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we are proud to be trusted deportation defense attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio, serving individuals and families from all walks of life. Whether you’re already in proceedings before the Cleveland Immigration Court, or you’ve received a Notice to Appear (NTA) and don’t know what steps to take, our experienced legal team is ready to intervene and build a strong defense strategy.
We have successfully defended clients throughout Cleveland, as well as surrounding areas across northeast Ohio, from removal based on criminal charges, overstays, misrepresentation, and complex immigration issues. Our team takes the time to listen to your story, evaluate every legal option, and act swiftly to protect your right to remain in the U.S.
With offices in Columbus, Independence, and Oxford, Ohio, our firm has earned a reputation for aggressive, knowledgeable, and empathetic deportation defense throughout Cleveland and the state of Ohio. Here’s why clients across the state turn to us:
- Multilingual Legal Support: Fluent in English, Spanish, Thai, Russian, and other languages.
- Decades of Combined Experience: Including high-stakes removal proceedings, appeals, and federal court cases.
- Community-Oriented: We understand how deportation impacts entire families, not just individuals.
- Free Consultations: No-risk case evaluations to help you take the first step with confidence.
Our team offers unwavering legal support to Cleveland families and individuals dealing with a number of complex legal issues, from immigration to criminal defense. Our Cleveland team offers legal assistance for cases such as
What To Do If You Receive a Notice to Appear (NTA)
If you receive an NTA, you must act quickly. Here’s what you should do:
- Do not ignore it: Failing to appear in court will almost always result in a removal order in absentia.
- Contact a lawyer immediately: Time is of the essence in removal defense.
- Gather documents: Immigration history, criminal records (if any), family ties, employment history, and more.
- Attend all hearings: Missing even one can jeopardize your entire case.
Let our Cleveland deportation defense attorneys represent you with the urgency and compassion your case deserves.
Contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez Today for Trusted Deportation Defense
If you or a loved one is at risk of deportation in Cleveland, Ohio, or elsewhere in the state, don’t face it alone. The immigration attorneys at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez are ready to stand with you and fight for your right to remain in the United States.
We offer free consultations and are conveniently located in Cleveland, Independence, Columbus, and Oxford, Ohio. No matter where you are in your immigration journey, we are here to help.
