What are the most common reasons for deportation in Reno?

In Reno, throughout Nevada, and across the United States, the majority of deportations occur for administrative reasons rather than criminal violations. This means you don’t have to do something wrong to face deportation. Some of the situations that most commonly trigger deportation proceedings in our area include: Overstaying your visa Violating visa conditions, such as working without authorization on a tourist visa Allegedly committing marriage fraud to obtain immigration benefits Entering the country without inspection (at a location other than a designated entry point) Using fraud or misrepresentation, including fake documents, to obtain a visa or other immigration benefits Reentering the United States without authorization after a previous deportation A criminal conviction of certain kinds can also lead to removal proceedings, even if you have permanent resident status. The types of convictions that most commonly impact immigration benefits include: Both misdemeanor and felony convictions that are considered “aggravated felonies” for immigration purposes, including offenses related to violence, theft, fraud, drug trafficking, or sexual abuse Domestic violence offenses, including stalking and child abuse Firearm offenses, such as illegal purchase, illegal possession, unlawful use, or illegal sales Drug crimes, particularly when they involve the trafficking of controlled substances Crimes deemed to involve “moral turpitude,” including fraud, robbery, aggravated DUI, and other offenses that involve dishonesty, violence, or immorality Understanding the reason you’re facing deportation is critical for building the most effective defense possible.

Can a lawyer stop deportation proceedings?

Yes, you may be able to successfully fight deportation proceedings with the help and guidance of a knowledgeable immigration attorney. There are numerous avenues that could be pursued, depending on the situation. Your lawyer might identify errors or inaccuracies that constitute grounds for dismissal of the case, file for cancellation of removal, or challenge the charges against you. Which strategies are open to you and how effective they are likely to be depends on your unique circumstances, but our team wants immigrants facing deportation to know that there are still a lot of options to consider. Throughout your case, we deliver calculated, strategic, and results-focused removal defense, with the goal of securing your future in the United States.

How long do deportation proceedings take?

If you’re wondering how quickly you could be deported or how long you may have to live with the uncertainty of a potential deportation hanging over your head, you should know that the length of duration of removal proceedings can vary widely. Some removal proceedings can be resolved within a few months, while others can take years. In specific circumstances, such as re-entering the U.S. without authorization after being deported, you could be removed the country without any further legal proceedings in what’s called a “summary removal” or “reinstatement of a prior removal order.” Factors that impact the length of time your legal matter could take to resolve include: The complexity of your case Immigration Court backlog Whether you are detained or released Whether you apply for relief through asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status Whether your case involves the filing of change of venue requests, motions, continuances, or appeals With immigration courts in Nevada and across the country facing record-breaking caseloads and, in turn, experiencing significant delays, cases heard before the Las Vegas Immigration Court (which serves Northern Nevada clients) can take anywhere from 18 months to over 3 years to resolve on average. Months or even years can pass between individual hearings, particularly the Master Calendar Hearing (your first court appearance) and the Individual (Merits) Hearing, where the judge decides your case. Having an attorney can help you resolve your case with fewer delays while prioritizing the outcome that most benefits you. We help move our clients’ cases forward by filing motions strategically to avoid unnecessary delays or dismissals, meeting all deadlines and procedural requirements, and requesting priority scheduling if hardship or humanitarian factors apply. Waiting for the outcome of deportation proceedings can be stressful, but time often works to your advantage. It gives your attorney more opportunity to gather evidence, pursue relief options, or even request administrative closure or termination if the law changes in your favor.

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Reno Immigration Law Attorney/

Deportation Removal

Reno Deportation Lawyer

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If You’re Facing Deportation, the Advocacy of a Dedicated Removal Defense Attorney in Reno, NV, Can Make All the Difference

When you have built a life in the United States, deportation proceedings threaten to rip you away from your home, your family, your work, and your community. Immigrants in Northern Nevada shouldn’t have to live in fear of the government abruptly tearing them away from their loved ones and upending their lives. At Smit Law Group, we’re committed to fighting for our clients’ ability to remain in the country. We’re the law firm of choice for a Reno deportation lawyer who speaks your language, understands your challenges, and explores every option for relief from removal proceedings.

Missing an initial hearing or failing to prepare your case could undermine your defense against deportation proceedings. It’s in your best interests to consult a knowledgeable immigration lawyer immediately to begin building your defense. Contact us today for compassionate support for the legal process.

Steps to Take Now if You Have Received a Notice to Appear from the Department of Homeland Security

If you have received a Notice to Appear (NTA), also known as Form I-862, you need to take action right away. The is the charging document that officially begins removal proceedings in Immigration Court. You’re facing deportation, and you need a strong legal advocate on your side.

The steps you should take as soon as possible include:

Carefully reading the notice to understand when your Master Calendar Hearing will be held, what the allegations or charges against you are, and whether there are any factual errors that could present grounds for dismissal of the case
Contacting an experienced Reno deportation lawyer who can begin formulating the most effective defense strategy possible, file any motions required in your case, and represent you in court
Gathering supporting documents, including any visas or Green Cards, USCIS notices, court or ICE paperwork, proof of residence, and records of family ties
Working with your attorney to prepare for all hearings and legal proceedings

A Notice to Appear is not the end of your story. It’s the beginning of your legal defense. Many immigrants successfully contest removal or secure lawful status through the right strategy and legal advocacy. If you’ve received an NTA from the Department of Homeland Security, contact our team immediately for help protecting your rights, navigating legal procedures, and fighting for your ability to remain in the United States.

Your future deserves attention today. Call 775-993-2235 or contact our team to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

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What Immigrants in Reno, NV, Need to Know About Deportation Proceedings

Deportation defense involves complex procedural and jurisdictional steps, from receiving the NTA to navigating hearings and potential appeals. Northern Nevada clients face unique logistical barriers due to the Las Vegas venue, making local counsel essential for timely filings, venue motions, and strategic representation.

What Is a Notice to Appear?

A Notice to Appear is a charging document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and filed with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which operates under the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This document is significant because it formally begins deportation proceedings, in Immigration Court.

Your NTA, also known as Form I-862, will list the following information:

The factual allegations against the immigrant (in legal terms, known as the respondent)
The legal charges or grounds of removability under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
The time, date, and location of your first court hearing (although these details are sometimes added later)
Your obligation to appear and the potential consequences of failing to attend, which can include a judge ordering your removal in absentia and resulting in deportation without further notice

The filing of the NTA with the EOIR places your case into formal removal proceedings. Through this process, an immigration judge will determine whether you may remain in the U.S. or must be removed. You have the right to hire an attorney with experience in immigration law to represent you in this process, and you should take advantage of this right to pursue the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.

Types of Removal Hearings in Deportation Proceedings: Master Calendar vs. Individual

Removal proceedings are a process rather than one single hearing. Immigration Court proceedings typically involve two main types of hearings:

Master calendar hearings: During this brief preliminary hearing, similar to an arraignment in criminal court, you and your attorney will confirm your personal information and address the allegations in the NTA. The judge may schedule deadlines for submitting evidence or applications for relief. Bond issues are often raised during this hearing.
Individual hearings: In these longer Immigration Court hearings that are more reminiscent of a trial, your attorney will present testimony, documentation, and witnesses. ICE counsel, working on behalf of the government, can present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

The individual hearing, or merits hearing, decides the outcome of your case, which may include:

Granting relief in forms such as asylum, withholding of removal, cancellation of removal, or Adjustment of Status (a Green Card)
Permanently terminating (dismissing) the case due to legal defects in the NTA or to DHS agreeing that removal is no longer appropriate
Temporarily pausing the case through administrative closure, often due to a pending immigration application or visa petition (whether family-based or employment-based)
Permitting voluntary departure instead of deportation, in which leaving within a set timeframe without a formal removal order preserves future eligibility for immigration
Ordering removal, which directs that you be deported from the United States
Reaching a stipulated or agreed outcome through negotiations between your attorney and DHS counsel, in which the immigration judge acts as a neutral arbiter, protector of due process, and the final authority who must issue a signed order formalizing the agreement

While the individual hearing has more bearing on the final outcome of your case, it’s important to manage the entire process, from preparing for the master calendar hearing to presenting your case at the individual hearing, strategically and effectively.

How a Change-of-Venue Strategy Can Help Northern NV Clients Who Are Calendared in Las Vegas

For clients in Reno, Carson City, or other Northern Nevada communities, removal proceedings are technically under the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Immigration Court. This is the only EOIR immigration court in Nevada.

However, we recognize that traveling to Las Vegas for every hearing can be a significant hardship, costing time and money that you don’t have to spare. In these cases, we may file a motion for Change of Venue (COV) with EOIR. Through this motion, we can seek to have your case transferred to a closer location, such as Sacramento or San Francisco, California.

To succeed, the motion for Change of Venue must typically include:

The respondent’s new address and proof of residence in the new jurisdiction, if they have relocated
Consent from government counsel (ICE) when possible, which improves chances of approval
A clear argument that the change promotes efficiency, fairness, and accessibility

Change of venue requests aren’t granted automatically, and you typically must either relocate outside Nevada or demonstrate extraordinary hardship for the petition to be granted. Until EOIR grants the motion, all hearings remain scheduled in Las Vegas. If you believe that a change-of-venue strategy could benefit you, we will help you consider all possibilities and advise you, based on your specific circumstances, what options may make sense in your situation.

The Role of the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Immigration Court

The federal Department of Justice is extensively involved in Immigration Court. A DOJ subagency known as the Executive Office for Immigration Review administers the Immigration Court system. Immigration judges are DOJ employees, not independent judicial officers.

How Smit Law Group Can Help

What these distinctions mean for immigrants facing removal proceedings is that deportation defense attorneys must navigate both DHS enforcement actions and DOJ adjudicatory processes. At Smit Law Group, we do this by:

Reviewing the NTA for accuracy and identifying errors that could lead to case dismissal
Asserting due process violations, such as improper notice of the proceedings and defective NTAs
Developing a personalized legal strategy informed by the specifics of your situation
Filing motions to terminate or suppress evidence to strengthen your position in court
Presenting applications for relief, which may include asylum, cancellation, or Adjustment of Status
If necessary, filing appeals on your behalf before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or federal circuit courts

Don’t face the DOJ, the DHS, and Immigration Court alone. Let our removal defense attorney in Reno, NV, help you navigate the legal process.

Effective Strategies for Deportation Defense

Just because you are facing removal proceedings doesn't mean you should give up hope of remaining in the country. At Smit Law Group, we explore numerous options for deportation defense, including:

Challenging the validity and accuracy of the Notice to Appear issued by DHS, including defects such as inaccurate or unsupported factual allegations, improper filing or serving of the document, and procedural errors such as failing to list hearing dates, times, or locations
Applying for relief from removal through asylum, cancellation of removal, Adjustment of Status, withholding of removal to a country where you face persecution or torture, or voluntary departure permitted instead of a formal removal order
Pursuing administrative closure or a pause or dismissal of removal proceedings under prosecutorial discretion, often available when an immigrant has family ties to lawful residents, a clean criminal record, documented employment and community service, long-term residency, and pending immigration applications or humanitarian concerns
Filing motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal means or to terminate proceedings due to defective documents or failure to prove the allegations against you
Appealing judicial denials to grant relief to the Board of Immigration Appeals, the highest administrative body within the DOJ’s immigration system, or potentially to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is the federal circuit court with jurisdiction over Nevada

Even after an order of removal, you may still have legal options, including requesting a temporary stay of removal, advocating for deferred action, and motioning to reopen your case if you become newly eligible for relief. Every type of deportation defense involves complex legal and factual requirements, so having an experienced Reno deportation lawyer fighting removal proceedings for you is critical.

You Need an Experienced Removal Defense Attorney in Reno, NV, Fighting for You

Success in Immigration Court demands both legal advocacy and strategic negotiation. The law allows for relief, but only if the grounds for granting it are properly identified, documented, and argued before EOIR. Your best chance at being granted relief is with a Reno deportation lawyer handling your case, aiding you with extensive knowledge of local procedures, persuasive courtroom representation, and skilled handling of documents and evidence.

An NTA or ICE detention does not mean deportation is inevitable. Our firm has a track record of protecting our clients from deportation and helping them obtain relief to remain in the United States. Through careful strategy, timely filings, and aggressive advocacy, many immigrants successfully fight removal, obtain legal status, or reunite with their families.

Why Choose Smit Law Group as Your Reno Deportation Lawyer?

When you need a removal defense attorney in Reno, NV, you need legal counsel who brings skill, strategy, and compassion to every case. At Smit Law Group, we’re known for:

Proven success: We have a record of securing relief from removal and dismissal of deportation cases.
Experienced advocacy: With 19 years of experience, attorney Margaretha Smit is respected by judges, ICE agents, and USCIS officers.
Analytical approach: We perform deep legal research and strategic preparation for complex removal proceedings.

Our goal is simple: protect your rights and fight for your chance to stay.

Contact a Reno Deportation Lawyer at Smit Law Group Today for a Confidential Consultation

Facing deportation is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can endure, but facing it with a trusted advocate and the resources required to explore every avenue can make all the difference.

For help from a deportation defense attorney in Reno, contact Smit Law Group online or call 775-993-2235 today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deportation and Removal in Reno, NV

In Reno, throughout Nevada, and across the United States, the majority of deportations occur for administrative reasons rather than criminal violations. This means you don’t have to do something wrong to face deportation.
Some of the situations that most commonly trigger deportation proceedings in our area include:
Overstaying your visa
Violating visa conditions, such as working without authorization on a tourist visa
Allegedly committing marriage fraud to obtain immigration benefits
Entering the country without inspection (at a location other than a designated entry point)
Using fraud or misrepresentation, including fake documents, to obtain a visa or other immigration benefits
Reentering the United States without authorization after a previous deportation
A criminal conviction of certain kinds can also lead to removal proceedings, even if you have permanent resident status. The types of convictions that most commonly impact immigration benefits include:
Both misdemeanor and felony convictions that are considered “aggravated felonies” for immigration purposes, including offenses related to violence, theft, fraud, drug trafficking, or sexual abuse
Domestic violence offenses, including stalking and child abuse
Firearm offenses, such as illegal purchase, illegal possession, unlawful use, or illegal sales
Drug crimes, particularly when they involve the trafficking of controlled substances
Crimes deemed to involve “moral turpitude,” including fraud, robbery, aggravated DUI, and other offenses that involve dishonesty, violence, or immorality
Understanding the reason you’re facing deportation is critical for building the most effective defense possible.
Yes, you may be able to successfully fight deportation proceedings with the help and guidance of a knowledgeable immigration attorney. There are numerous avenues that could be pursued, depending on the situation. Your lawyer might identify errors or inaccuracies that constitute grounds for dismissal of the case, file for cancellation of removal, or challenge the charges against you.
Which strategies are open to you and how effective they are likely to be depends on your unique circumstances, but our team wants immigrants facing deportation to know that there are still a lot of options to consider. Throughout your case, we deliver calculated, strategic, and results-focused removal defense, with the goal of securing your future in the United States.
If you’re wondering how quickly you could be deported or how long you may have to live with the uncertainty of a potential deportation hanging over your head, you should know that the length of duration of removal proceedings can vary widely. Some removal proceedings can be resolved within a few months, while others can take years.
In specific circumstances, such as re-entering the U.S. without authorization after being deported, you could be removed the country without any further legal proceedings in what’s called a “summary removal” or “reinstatement of a prior removal order.”
Factors that impact the length of time your legal matter could take to resolve include:
The complexity of your case
Immigration Court backlog
Whether you are detained or released
Whether you apply for relief through asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status
Whether your case involves the filing of change of venue requests, motions, continuances, or appeals
With immigration courts in Nevada and across the country facing record-breaking caseloads and, in turn, experiencing significant delays, cases heard before the Las Vegas Immigration Court (which serves Northern Nevada clients) can take anywhere from 18 months to over 3 years to resolve on average. Months or even years can pass between individual hearings, particularly the Master Calendar Hearing (your first court appearance) and the Individual (Merits) Hearing, where the judge decides your case.
Having an attorney can help you resolve your case with fewer delays while prioritizing the outcome that most benefits you. We help move our clients’ cases forward by filing motions strategically to avoid unnecessary delays or dismissals, meeting all deadlines and procedural requirements, and requesting priority scheduling if hardship or humanitarian factors apply.
Waiting for the outcome of deportation proceedings can be stressful, but time often works to your advantage. It gives your attorney more opportunity to gather evidence, pursue relief options, or even request administrative closure or termination if the law changes in your favor.