When you are faced with deportation (usually through a notice to appear), the first step that you should make is to find a deportation attorney to represent you through the process.

Unlike in criminal courts, the government would not give you an attorney free of charge if you cannot afford retaining your own. Going through the process alone is daunting and almost always results in an unfavorable decision.

Practicing in immigration court has special rules and all filings must follow meet certain conditions and be filed in a special format. Thus, getting your family lawyer to represent you in immigration court would not be much of a help. It is also important to find an attorney who will treat your case with the special care and attention you deserve.

Setting a record for appeal is one of the most important things in immigration court besides getting the desired type of relief. That is because in case you case is denied by the immigration judge, you can appeal it to the BIA. The BIA (Board of Immigration Appears) is located in Falls Church, Virginia. They only deal with written pleadings and the record set in immigration court. You don’t to get to argue your case in person. Therefore, it is imperative that your lawyer makes the record straight with the immigration court by heavily documenting your case, and oral argument in front of the immigration court. If your case is denied by the BIA, there is still hope (though by then it gets harder). You can opt to file an appeal in Federal Court. If you live in California, that is the 9^th circuit.