Deportation, formally known as removal, is one of the most serious challenges any immigrant can face. It can separate families, end years of hard work, and permanently alter a person’s life in the United States. The process can move quickly and is often confusing, especially for those who are detained or unfamiliar with the immigration system. Having an experienced legal team is critical to protecting your rights and your future.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our attorneys have years of experience representing immigrants in New Orleans Immigration Court and before federal immigration authorities across Louisiana. We provide immediate, strategic legal defense for individuals facing deportation, whether they are detained, out on bond, or at risk of removal due to a criminal charge or denied visa.
Our team understands how urgent these cases are and how much they mean to the families involved. We take fast, decisive action to stop removal proceedings, identify available defenses, and fight to keep our clients in the United States. If you or a loved one is facing deportation, don’t wait. Every day counts. Our firm is ready to stand by your side and fight for your right to remain in the country you call home.
Understanding Deportation and Removal Proceedings
Removal proceedings begin when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues a Notice to Appear (NTA), alleging that a noncitizen is subject to deportation. The NTA lists the government’s charges and is filed with the New Orleans Immigration Court, which has jurisdiction over most of Louisiana.
During the removal process, immigrants must appear before an immigration judge in one or more hearings:
- Master Calendar Hearings: The initial stage, where the court reviews the charges, confirms representation, and sets future dates.
- Individual Hearings: A full evidentiary hearing where both sides present testimony, evidence, and legal arguments.
Common reasons immigrants in Louisiana are placed in removal proceedings include:
Removal proceedings are legal battles that require evidence, preparation, and advocacy. Without an attorney, immigrants risk losing their cases simply because they don’t know the procedures or how to present their defenses effectively.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we handle every aspect of the process, from the first hearing to appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) or federal court, when necessary. Our goal is always the same: to protect our clients from unjust removal and to secure every possible form of legal relief available under U.S. immigration law.
Representation Before the New Orleans Immigration Court
The New Orleans Immigration Court is one of the busiest in the region, handling both detained and non-detained cases from across Louisiana and nearby states. Many individuals detained at facilities in Oakdale, Jena, or LaSalle Parish have their cases assigned to this court, which means having attorneys familiar with its procedures is essential.
Our experience gives our clients an advantage; we know how local courts operate, how cases are prioritized, and how to anticipate potential challenges.
When representing clients in removal proceedings, we:
- Review all allegations in the Notice to Appear and file appropriate pleadings.
- Prepare and present detailed evidence, including documentation of family ties, community involvement, and employment history.
- File motions for bond hearings or parole for detained clients.
- Identify available defenses such as asylum, adjustment of status, or cancellation of removal.
- Represent clients at every hearing, ensuring their case is clearly and persuasively presented.
We also coordinate closely with families, consulates, and detention facilities to ensure detained individuals can participate in their own defense. Our attorneys understand how stressful these situations are and we make sure clients and their loved ones are informed, supported, and never alone during the process.
Legal Defenses Against Deportation
Deportation is not inevitable. There are multiple forms of relief that can allow an immigrant to stay in the United States, depending on their personal history and the circumstances of their case. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we evaluate every client’s eligibility for relief and build strong, evidence-based defenses tailored to their situation.
Some of the most common legal defenses against deportation include:
- Asylum or withholding of removal: For individuals who fear persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Cancellation of removal: For lawful permanent residents and long-term noncitizens who can demonstrate good moral character and that their removal would cause extreme hardship to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.
- Adjustment of status: For immigrants who are eligible for a green card through family, employment, or other petitions.
- Waivers of inadmissibility: To overcome certain criminal or immigration violations that would otherwise prevent lawful status.
- Voluntary departure: For individuals who wish to leave the U.S. on their own terms and avoid a formal removal order.
Each defense has unique eligibility requirements and evidentiary standards. Our attorneys carefully prepare documentation, witness statements, and legal arguments to give clients the strongest possible chance at success.
ICE Detention and Bond Hearings in Louisiana
Many removal cases in Louisiana begin with ICE detention, often at facilities located in Oakdale, Jena, or LaSalle Parish. These centers hold hundreds of immigrants awaiting hearings before the New Orleans Immigration Court. Detention can be an incredibly stressful experience for both the individual and their family, especially when communication is limited and legal proceedings move quickly.
At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we act immediately when a client is detained. Our attorneys file bond motions, represent clients at bond hearings, and present compelling evidence showing why release should be granted. This evidence may include proof of community ties, family relationships, employment, and a lack of criminal history, all of which demonstrate that the client is not a danger to the public or a flight risk.
We also handle cases where bond has been denied, filing appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) when necessary. Our attorneys maintain close contact with families throughout this process, explaining each step, gathering supporting documents, and ensuring no opportunity for release is overlooked.
No one should face detention or deportation alone. Our firm fights to reunite families as quickly as possible and to ensure every detained individual receives fair treatment and full due process under the law.
Criminal Convictions and Deportation Risks
A criminal conviction can dramatically increase the risk of deportation, even for long-time residents or green card holders. Certain offenses, such as drug-related crimes, fraud, or domestic violence, can trigger removal proceedings or make someone ineligible for immigration benefits.
Because criminal law and immigration law are deeply intertwined, the attorneys at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez handle both types of cases to ensure that one does not jeopardize the other. We carefully analyze each situation to determine how a charge or conviction affects immigration status and develop a defense strategy that minimizes risk.
Our firm assists clients by:
- Providing dual criminal and immigration defense to protect legal status while defending against charges.
- Analyzing potential immigration consequences before a plea or sentencing decision is made.
- Pursuing post-conviction relief, such as vacating or modifying convictions that threaten deportation.
- Collaborating with criminal defense attorneys to coordinate strategies that safeguard both freedom and residency.
- Advising on plea agreements and sentencing options that reduce or eliminate immigration penalties.
This proactive, coordinated approach helps clients protect their immigration status while navigating the criminal justice system. For immigrants in New Orleans, having attorneys who understand both the criminal and immigration courts can make the difference between remaining in the United States and being permanently removed.
Appeals and Motions to Reopen Removal Cases
Even when a removal order has already been issued, it may still be possible to fight back. Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez frequently represents clients in appeals and motions to reopen deportation cases. Our attorneys file appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and, when appropriate, before federal appellate courts to challenge unjust or unlawful removal decisions.
Appeals can be based on legal errors, procedural violations, or newly discovered evidence. Motions to reopen may be filed when circumstances have changed, for example, when a family petition becomes available, new evidence arises, or an error occurred during the original hearing.
Timing is critical. Most appeals must be filed within 30 days of the removal order, and failing to act quickly can eliminate important legal rights. Our attorneys move swiftly to preserve eligibility, build persuasive arguments, and ensure that every client receives the full consideration their case deserves.
Our appellate practice reflects our firm’s broader philosophy: that no case is truly over until every available option has been pursued. We believe in second chances and we fight to give our clients the opportunity to remain with their families and communities in the United States.
Why Choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez for Deportation Defense in New Orleans
When your future in the United States is at stake, experience and advocacy matter. The attorneys at Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez have built a strong reputation for providing exceptional immigration defense, particularly in deportation and removal proceedings before the New Orleans Immigration Court. We are known for acting quickly, building detailed legal arguments, and maintaining clear communication with clients and their families throughout every stage of the process.
Our firm’s attorneys bring decades of combined experience representing immigrants in Louisiana and across the nation. We understand how the local court systems, detention procedures, and federal immigration laws interact, and we use that knowledge to build smart, effective strategies for every case.
Clients choose our firm because we offer:
- Decades of combined immigration experience in both detained and non-detained removal proceedings.
- Familiarity with the New Orleans Immigration Court and Louisiana ICE facilities such as Oakdale and Jena.
- Comprehensive legal representation that covers immigration defense, appeals, detention hearings, and criminal matters.
- Bilingual support in English and Spanish to ensure every client fully understands their rights and options.
- Compassionate advocacy. We treat every case as a matter of family, safety, and dignity.
Whether you are detained by ICE, fighting a removal order, or seeking to reopen a closed case, our team is ready to help. When you choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, you gain experienced attorneys who will stand beside you every step of the way and fight relentlessly to protect your right to remain in the United States.
Contact Our New Orleans Deportation and Removal Defense Attorneys Today
Deportation cases move fast and waiting even a few days can make the situation harder to control. If you or someone you love is in ICE custody or has received a Notice to Appear, contact Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez immediately. The sooner we get involved, the more options we can explore to stop removal and pursue legal relief.
Our attorneys represent clients throughout New Orleans, Oakdale, Jena, and nearby Natchez, Mississippi, providing responsive and strategic legal support for immigrants and their families. We are experienced, compassionate, and ready to act quickly on your behalf.
Call Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez today at (216) 284-7591 or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced New Orleans deportation and removal defense attorney. We are here to protect your rights, your family, and your future in the United States.
