When deportation threatens your future, your family, and everything you have built in the United States, you need experienced legal representation. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our Akron deportation and removal defense attorneys fight to protect the rights of individuals and families facing removal proceedings. We represent clients in Akron, Summit County, and throughout Ohio before the Cleveland Immigration Court, where most regional deportation cases are heard.

Our firm understands that removal proceedings can begin suddenly, often after an arrest, visa overstay, or change in immigration status. Once the government issues a Notice to Appear (NTA), you must act quickly to preserve your rights and prepare a strong defense. Our attorneys work closely with each client to analyze their case, identify available forms of relief, and develop a strategy that prioritizes keeping families together and protecting their ability to remain in the United States.

Deportation does not have to be the end of your immigration journey. With knowledgeable legal guidance and careful preparation, there are often options to stop or delay removal and restore lawful status. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping Akron immigrants secure those opportunities and build a stable future.

Understanding Deportation and Removal Proceedings

Deportation, also called removal, is the legal process used by the U.S. government to order a non-citizen to leave the country. These proceedings are handled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which operates the immigration courts. For residents of Akron and Summit County, most hearings take place before the Cleveland Immigration Court.

Removal proceedings typically begin when the Department of Homeland Security issues a Notice to Appear (NTA), listing the reasons the government believes a person should be removed. The process involves several hearings, during which the immigrant has the right to be represented by an attorney, present evidence, and apply for relief from removal. Understanding these steps early can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case.

Key stages of a deportation case include:

• Receiving the Notice to Appear (NTA): The official start of removal proceedings.
• Master Calendar Hearing: A preliminary hearing where the court confirms basic information and sets future dates.
• Individual (Merits) Hearing: The main hearing where evidence and testimony are presented.
• Appeal or Motion to Reopen: Post-decision options to challenge or correct the outcome.

Our attorneys represent clients through every phase of this process. We prepare evidence, communicate with immigration officials, and advocate for the strongest possible defense to protect our clients from removal.

Common Reasons for Deportation

Deportation can be initiated for many different reasons, and not all involve criminal conduct. Our Akron deportation defense attorneys represent clients who are facing removal for issues ranging from visa violations to prior criminal convictions. We take the time to understand each client’s unique situation and determine what legal options are available to stop removal.

Immigration authorities often begin removal proceedings after discovering a violation through an arrest, a denied application, or a review of a person’s record. In many cases, the issue can be resolved through proper documentation or legal relief, but quick action is critical.

Common reasons for deportation in Akron include:

• Overstaying a visa or entering the country without inspection.
• Criminal convictions that make a person inadmissible or deportable.
• Failure to maintain lawful status, such as expired work or student visas.
• Fraud or misrepresentation on immigration applications.
• Violation of prior removal orders or terms of supervised release.

Our firm works to identify the underlying cause of deportation and determine the most effective strategy to protect your ability to remain in the United States.

Legal Defenses Against Deportation

Receiving a Notice to Appear does not automatically mean you will be deported. There are several legal defenses and forms of relief available that may allow you to stay in the country lawfully. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our Akron immigration attorneys analyze every client’s case to determine which defenses apply and prepare the strongest possible argument before the immigration court.

Each form of relief has specific eligibility requirements, and selecting the correct defense is crucial. Our attorneys carefully review all documentation, immigration history, and personal circumstances to build a complete case.

Common deportation defense strategies include:

• Cancellation of removal for permanent or non-permanent residents.
• Adjustment of status through family or employment-based petitions.
• Asylum or withholding of removal based on persecution or danger.
• Waivers of inadmissibility for certain criminal or immigration violations.
• Prosecutorial discretion or administrative closure in appropriate cases.

Our firm provides clear guidance on each option, ensuring clients understand what relief may apply and how to pursue it effectively.

Bond Hearings and ICE Detention Defense

When immigrants in Akron or Summit County are detained by ICE, they often have the right to request a bond hearing. This allows a judge to decide whether they can be released while their deportation case proceeds. Our Akron ICE detention attorneys represent clients at these hearings, presenting evidence to show that they are not a flight risk or danger to the community.

A successful bond hearing can make a major difference in the outcome of a case. Being released allows individuals to work, stay with family, and participate fully in their defense. Our attorneys prepare each bond hearing carefully, gathering documents and witness statements that demonstrate strong community ties and good moral character.

Factors immigration judges consider when deciding bond include:

• Length of residence in the United States.
• Family and community connections in the Akron area.
• Criminal history or lack thereof.
• Likelihood of attending all future hearings.

We act quickly to request bond hearings, communicate with detention centers, and advocate for the earliest possible release of our clients.

Appeals and Motions to Reopen

A removal order is not always the end of your case. Our Akron deportation defense attorneys help clients pursue appeals and motions to reopen when legal errors, new evidence, or changed circumstances justify another review. These post-decision remedies can provide a crucial second opportunity to remain in the United States.

Appeals are typically filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and must meet strict deadlines. Our attorneys prepare comprehensive appellate briefs that explain the legal or procedural mistakes made in the original decision. For clients whose cases have already concluded, we also file motions to reopen or motions to reconsider, presenting new evidence or updated eligibility for relief.

Post-decision options may include:

• Appeals to the BIA challenging removal orders.
• Motions to reopen based on new facts or changed circumstances.
• Motions to reconsider when the court misapplied the law.
• Petitions for review filed with federal courts.

Our firm has experience handling complex appellate matters and works to ensure that every possible legal option is explored before removal takes place.

Protecting Families During Deportation Proceedings

Deportation affects more than one person. It impacts entire families. Our Akron immigration attorneys understand how removal can separate parents from children, disrupt financial stability, and cause emotional hardship. We take a compassionate and comprehensive approach to defending Akron families facing deportation, helping them explore every form of relief available under U.S. law.

When a family member faces removal, we coordinate defense strategies that protect the household as a whole. This may include applying for waivers, pursuing cancellation of removal, or seeking humanitarian relief to keep families together.

Ways we help Akron families during deportation cases include:

• Filing waivers of inadmissibility to prevent separation.
• Applying for family-based relief or adjustment of status.
• Coordinating legal strategies when multiple family members are involved.
• Advocating for discretion based on community ties and hardship.

We recognize that deportation cases are deeply personal. Our attorneys work to ensure that every Akron family receives the support, advocacy, and protection they deserve.

Why Choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez

At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we have built a reputation for providing experienced and compassionate representation in immigration and criminal defense matters. Our firm understands how stressful deportation can be, and we use our legal experience to help clients in Akron and Summit County navigate this process with confidence and care.

We believe in maintaining open communication and ensuring that every client receives direct attention from an attorney. Our team prepares every case thoroughly, anticipating potential challenges and advocating for the best possible outcome.

Clients choose our Akron immigration firm because:

• We have decades of combined experience handling removal defense cases.
• Each client works directly with an experienced attorney.
• Our multilingual team serves Akron’s diverse immigrant communities.
• We maintain a strong record of success in Ohio immigration courts.

Our attorneys approach every deportation case with dedication, integrity, and a genuine commitment to protecting our clients’ futures in the United States.

Contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez Today for Your Akron Deportation Defense Case

If you or a loved one is facing deportation in Akron or Summit County, it is critical to seek legal help as soon as possible. Removal proceedings move quickly, and the earlier our attorneys become involved, the more options you may have to remain in the United States. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we provide skilled, compassionate representation for immigrants who are at risk of removal, ensuring that every client receives the strong defense they deserve.

We understand how overwhelming it can feel to face the possibility of separation from your home and family. Our team takes the time to explain each step of the process, prepare your case thoroughly, and stand beside you during hearings and appeals. With experience in both immigration and criminal defense, we are equipped to handle even the most complex removal cases.

Call us today at (216) 294-2835 or connect with us online to schedule a consultation. Our firm is here to help you fight deportation, protect your rights, and secure your future in the United States.