A recent study released by an immigration-rights group, in conjunction with a Stanford law clinic, has shown that immigrants faced with deportation would greatly benefit from having legal counsel on their side. A deportation defense can be difficult, particularly for someone who may not know the ins-and-outs of the law. Immigrants in California could better their odds of avoiding deportation by being legally prepared to confront the situation.
According to the recently released report, approximately 4,000 immigrants to Northern California were arrested and held for deportation and removal proceedings in the past 12 months. Those who utilized an immigration attorney were able to avoid deportation in about 33 percent of these cases. This is a significant increase compared to the 11 percent who won their cases without the use of an attorney.
Those who employ an experienced immigration attorney are more likely to be released from custody, which is said to improve the odds of winning a deportation case. Legal counsel may also be in a better position to help their clients claim asylum, fight deportation due to domestic violence situations or help immigrants claim a number of other hardships. Immigration laws can be difficult to understand, and a number of exceptions can apply to any given case.
A deportation defense can be done alone or with help. At the end of the day, California immigrants who are faced with this situation will get to decide how they wish to proceed. However, getting help as soon as possible can help ensure that a person’s legal rights are being fully protected throughout these immigration proceedings and may even help improve the odds of avoiding deportation.
Source: sfgate.com, “Immigrants facing deportation do better in court with a lawyer“, Bob Egelko, Nov. 6, 2014
