A Notice to Appear, or NTA, is a document that you need to take very seriously. It is sent out when the government has started deportation proceedings against you. If you’ve received one of these notices, it’s important that you pay close attention and take the appropriate actions, as outlined below.
An NTA is a legal document sent out by the Department of Homeland Security. It contains important information, including why the government thinks you should be deported from the United States, the charges against you, and an explanation of the immigration laws the government is accusing you of breaking. It also tells you when and where you need to go to court for your first hearing.
When you get an NTA, you need to act very quickly. You can’t ignore it or put off taking action. If you don’t show up to your court hearing – no matter what the reason – the judge can issue what’s known as an “order in absentia,” which gives the authorities orders to deport you, even if you aren’t there to hear them directly.
If you’ve received a notice to appear, the first thing you need to do is contact an immigration lawyer who can review the NTA for mistakes and create a plan for how to defend you. Immigration law is complicated, and it’s intimidating to know that you’re fighting the government, but there are several ways to push back against deportation, including seeking asylum, filing for a cancellation of removal, getting a green card, or showing that the government’s charges are wrong.
Your immigration lawyer will start by responding to the notice, identifying themselves as your representative. They’ll also start gathering evidence to help you. This might include letters from people who know you, documents about your job, tax papers, or proof of your family ties. This process takes time, which is why it’s so important that you reach out as soon as you receive a notice.
The first hearing for a Notice to Appear is called a master calendar hearing. There will be an immigration judge who will go over the charges, and you’ll be given the chance to respond and say whether the charges are true or false and whether you want to fight the deportation. After this preliminary hearing, the judge will schedule your main hearing, where you can present your full case.
The most important things you can do to help yourself when you’ve received an NTA are to stay in touch with your lawyer, go to every court hearing, and follow any rules and instructions the court gives you. Getting an NTA is scary, but people do win their cases and get to stay in the United States. If you need assistance, contact our experienced immigration attorneys today.