Facing removal from the United States is one of the most frightening things a person and their family can go through. The Removal Defense Lawyers at Onal Gallant stand between you and deportation, building a legal strategy to help you stay in the country you call home.
We defend immigrants, green card holders, visa holders, asylum seekers, and their families in immigration court across the United States. Whether you received a Notice to Appear, a loved one was detained by ICE, or you are fighting a removal order, our team knows how to respond and how to act fast.
With more than 20 years of practice, 20,000+ clients served, and 65+ legal professionals across our New Jersey and Texas offices, we can bring steady, skilled defense and hope to a stressful time.
Call us today or schedule an appointment online.
New Jersey HQ: 619 River Dr, Suite 340, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 | (201) 508-0808
Texas Office: 800 Bonaventure Wy, Ste 120, Sugar Land, TX 77479 | (281) 909-4030
A removal defense lawyer fights to stop your deportation by challenging the government’s case, filing for relief you may qualify for, and representing you at every immigration court hearing. Your lawyer studies your history, finds legal defenses, and speaks for you in front of the immigration judge.
Removal cases move through many stages, and each stage is an opportunity to protect your future. Our removal defense attorneys step in at any point in the process.
Here is how we help at each stage:
The experienced immigration lawyers at Onal Gallant can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Immigrants with legal representation are far more likely to win the right to stay than those who face the court alone. Talk with an Onal Gallant removal defense attorney.
Immigration law is complex, the deadlines are short, and the government has trained attorneys working to deport you. Facing that alone puts everything at risk, including your home, your job, and your family.
Deportation cases are decided in immigration court, which is run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review, part of the U.S. Department of Justice. A government attorney argues for your removal. Without your own lawyer, you carry the full weight of that fight by yourself.
An experienced removal defense lawyer levels the field. Your attorney:
The rules keep changing under the current administration, and even a small mistake can end a case. Having a steady, knowledgeable advocate is the single best step you can take.
A Notice to Appear, often called an NTA, is the document that officially starts your removal case in immigration court. It lists the reasons the government believes you should be removed and tells you where and when to appear.
Ignoring it is dangerous. If you miss your hearing, the judge can order your removal without you there, which is called an in-absentia order.
Your case usually moves through these steps:
Each step has strict rules and paperwork. Our team handles the filings, the deadlines, and the courtroom, so you are never facing the government’s lawyers alone. Keeping your address current with the immigration court is also essential, and we help you stay on top of every notice.
Many people believe a removal case is hopeless, but that is often untrue. U.S. immigration law offers several forms of relief, and the right one depends on your history, your family, and your situation.
Common defenses and relief options include:
Choosing the wrong path can hurt your case. Our removal defense attorneys study your record closely and build the strongest defense the law allows. If you fear returning home, our team can also explain how asylum protection may fit into your defense.
If ICE detains you or someone you love, the most important step is to contact a removal defense lawyer right away. Detention moves quickly, and early legal help can make the difference between release and prolonged custody.
ICE, which stands for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is the agency that arrests and detains people in removal cases. Detention can happen after a traffic stop, at a workplace, at a check-in, or after a local jail booking.
Here is where a lawyer helps most in detention cases:
ICE enforcement has grown more aggressive, and rules about where and when arrests can happen keep shifting in the courts. Fast, informed action helps protect your rights. Contact our team the moment ICE gets involved.
Detention cases move fast, and every hour matters. Reach our removal defense team at (201) 508-0808 from our Elmwood Park, NJ headquarters or (281) 909-4030 from our Sugar Land, TX office. You can also request a case review here.
Removal cases demand a firm that acts quickly, knows the courts, and treats each client with real care. Onal Gallant brings all three, backed by more than two decades of immigration practice.
With 65+ legal professionals across our Elmwood Park, New Jersey headquarters and Sugar Land, Texas office, we have the depth to handle detention, court hearings, appeals, and federal filings at the same time.
We work with immigrants from around the world and explain every step in clear, simple language. You will always know where your case stands and what comes next.
Over 20,000 clients served and recognition as an award-winning firm reflect years of steady, careful work. We do not promise outcomes, because no honest lawyer can. We promise preparation, urgency, and a real fight for your right to stay.
People reaching this page often arrive with urgent questions already on their minds. Here are the ones we hear most often before a case even begins.
Yes, a removal order can sometimes be stopped even after a judge issues it. Options may include filing an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, requesting a stay of removal, or filing a motion to reopen the case. Each has strict deadlines, so speaking with a lawyer immediately gives you the best chance.
In many removal cases, you must file a Notice of Appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals within 10 calendar days of the immigration judge’s decision. Some cases involving asylum applications may have a 30-day deadline.
These deadlines are strict, and missing one can cause the judge’s decision to become final. Contact a removal defense lawyer immediately after any immigration court decision so your deadline can be confirmed and protected.
Yes, in some situations. Certain fast-track processes, such as expedited removal, can lead to deportation without a full court hearing. This is why early legal help matters so much. A lawyer can often challenge whether these fast-track rules should apply to your case at all.
Removal defense fees vary widely based on the complexity of your case, whether you are detained, and how many hearings are involved. Many firms, including ours, discuss fees openly during your first consultation and offer clear payment arrangements. The cost of skilled defense is far smaller than the cost of losing your life in the U.S.
Many detained people qualify for a bond, which is money paid so you can be released while your case continues. Eligibility depends on your immigration history and whether the government considers you a flight risk or safety concern. A lawyer can request a bond hearing and argue for the lowest amount possible.
Yes, lawful permanent residents can be placed in removal proceedings, often after certain criminal convictions or alleged immigration violations. Holding a green card does not make you immune from deportation. A removal defense lawyer can challenge the charges and fight to protect your permanent resident status.
Missing a court date usually leads to an in-absentia removal order, but that order can sometimes be reopened. If you missed court because you never received notice or faced an emergency, a lawyer may file a motion to reopen. Acting quickly gives you the strongest argument.
Sometimes, but mandamus is usually separate from removal defense. A mandamus lawsuit asks a federal judge to make USCIS or another immigration agency act on a delayed case. It does not force approval. If a delayed green card, visa, or work permit affects your removal defense, our attorneys can explain whether mandamus may help.
In many cases, yes. Depending on your situation and the relief you are seeking, you may be able to apply for work authorization while your case moves through the court. Your lawyer can tell you whether you qualify and handle the application for you.
Representation makes a major difference in immigration court. Studies consistently show that people with lawyers are far more likely to win relief and avoid deportation than those who appear alone. A lawyer knows the defenses, the deadlines, and how to present your case effectively.
Facing an immigration removal order is an extremely stressful situation for you and your family, but it does not always have to end in deportation. With the right legal team beside you, there is often a real path to stay, and we are ready to help you find it.
From your first hearing to appeals and federal court filings, the Removal Defense Lawyers at Onal Gallant fight to keep families together and futures intact. If you or someone you love is facing removal, do not wait for the next deadline to pass.
Your next step is a conversation, not a commitment. Call our New Jersey offices at (201) 508-0808 or (281) 909-4030 in the Houston area to speak with an Onal Gallant removal defense attorney. You may also reach us through our secure contact form. We serve clients facing removal across the United States.
