Guides to Defending Yourself in Immigration Court
Have you or someone you know been detained by immigration officials? Have you or someone you know been given a notice to appear in immigration court?
It is very important to get a lawyer to help you with your case. However, there are many people who cannot afford a lawyer or cannot find a lawyer who will help them at no cost. If you find yourself in this situation, these guides, developed by a team of experienced lawyers from MIRC, provide information to help you defend yourself in Immigration Court.
A. Immigration Bonds
This guide explains how to ask for release from detention through an immigration bond.
Coming soon!
B. Asylum, Withholding of Removal & Convention Against Torture
This guide explains how to apply for protection from deportation if you are afraid to return to your home country.
Coming soon!
C. Voluntary Departure & Removal
This guide explains how to ask for “voluntary departure” if you are not eligible for a defense against deportation or you decide to return to your home country.
Coming soon!
D. LPR Cancellation of Removal
This guide explains how to apply to “cancel” your deportation if you are a lawful permanent resident who is in deportation proceedings after being charged with a criminal offense or immigration violation.
Coming soon!
E. 10-Year Cancellation of Removal
This guide explains how to apply to “cancel” your deportation if you have lived in the U.S. for the past 10 years with “good moral character” and if you have a qualifying family member who will suffer extremely unusual hardship if you are deported.
Coming soon!
F. Appeals
This guide explains how to ask for a different result if you lose your case in Immigration Court. It also explains how to respond if you win your case but the government files an appeal.
Coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions: Immigration Court
This guide explains an overview of how to prepare and what to expect in court.
Coming soon!
If you need help
For legal advice, contact Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) at (734) 239-6863 or mirc@michiganimmigrant.org
If you are detained in Michigan, you have a right to call the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center confidential detention line for free. Ask a jail official for instructions.
Do not sign anything you do not understand. If you have questions, call MIRC.
For examples of forms, documents, and motions you will need to submit, visit bit.ly/mirc-resources
IMPORTANT: None of the information in these guides should be seen as legal advice. Please consult with an attorney with individual cases, especially if you or someone you know has a criminal record in any country.
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These materials may be distributed freely under a creative commons license, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
If you are a legal practitioner or a representative of a non-profit or community organization and you would like to alter these guides for use with your local population, we are delighted to discuss that option with you.