I have many consultations where clients have not attended immigration court for reasons that are not true.
Reason 1:
The Judge said I needed a lawyer, and I was not able to get on by the next court date, so I could not come back. -100 % FALSE
You should try your best to hire an experienced immigration attorney if you are in removal proceedings in immigration court, BUT if you are unable to find one or afford one, the Court will work with you to be able to pursue your case. The Court may even set one more hearing to assist you in finding legal assistance. Getting a lawyer is NOT required.
Reason 2:
A family member told me not to go because I will be deported-FALSE 99% of the TIME
If the court does decide to issue a removal order and order you removed, you still in nearly every scenario have a period of 30 days to appeal the judge’s decision. You may also have time to ask the judge to reopen your case. In nearly every situation, if the judge orders you removed, you will walk out of court, go home, and still be able to out together a plan for your immigration case, or plans to leave the country.
Reason 3:
I don’t want to go to jail if I lose my case.-FALSE 99% of the TIME
Remember, you have the right to appeal a judge’s removal order, and you have 30 days to prepare for that. If you choose not to, then the Court will only consider incarceration if you have recently been determined a significant danger to the community or flight risk. If you have been released on bond then the Court has already determined that you are not a danger to the community and also not a flight risk, among other factors.
YOU WILL LEAVE THE COURTROOM AND CAN BEGIN PLANNING A LEGAL RESPONSE IN NEARLY EVERY SCENARIO! DO NOT MISS IMMIGRATION COURT!
