Brooklyn Deportation Defense Lawyers

Last Updated on: 11th October 2025, 11:05 am

Brooklyn Deportation Defense Lawyers

Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group – a second-generation law firm managed by Todd Spodek. We have over 50 years of combined experience defending Brooklyn residents in deportation proceedings. Our immigration attorneys have represented thousands of clients at 26 Federal Plaza Immigration Court since 1976, fighting removal through asylum, cancellation, adjustment of status, and every available defense. You know our work – we represented Anna Delvey in the case that became a Netflix series.

If you’re facing deportation in Brooklyn in 2025, you’re confronting the most aggressive enforcement in history. On January 21, 2025, DHS expanded expedited removal nationwide – undocumented immigrants are now at risk of rapid deportation without seeing a judge. As of June 24, 2025, ICE was holding over 59,000 individuals in detention – 140% over federally funded capacity. Brooklyn Defender Services reports representing detained immigrants at record levels. You need deportation defense lawyers who know Brooklyn Immigration Court, who have relationships with judges, who fight aggressively.

You need Brooklyn deportation defense lawyers who know the local court, who can identify defenses judges accept, who have won cases at 26 Federal Plaza.

Brooklyn Immigration Court – 26 Federal Plaza

Brooklyn removal cases are heard at Immigration Court, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 1328, New York, NY 10278. This court serves Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and parts of Long Island.

Key facts about Brooklyn Immigration Court:

Volume – One of busiest immigration courts in country. Tens of thousands of cases pending. Master calendar hearings scheduled months apart. Individual hearings scheduled 1-2 years out.

Judges – Multiple immigration judges with different tendencies. Some judges grant asylum frequently. Others rarely grant relief. Judge assignment matters enormously.

Languages – Interpreters available for dozens of languages, reflecting Brooklyn’s diversity – Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Urdu.

Our Brooklyn deportation defense attorneys appear at 26 Federal Plaza weekly. We know the judges, the procedures, the local practices. We know which arguments work with which judges.

The Notice to Appear – How Deportation Starts

Deportation begins when DHS issues Notice to Appear (NTA). NTA charges you with removability – usually for entering without inspection, overstaying visa, or criminal conviction. NTA lists hearing date and location.

Some Brooklyn residents receive NTA after ICE arrest. Others receive NTA in mail. Some receive NTA after denied immigration application.

What to do when you receive NTA:

1. Hire deportation defense lawyer immediately

2. Appear at all hearings (failure to appear = removal order in absentia)

3. Don’t talk to ICE without lawyer

4. Gather evidence of ties to U.S. (family, work, property)

5. Identify potential relief from removal

Our Brooklyn deportation lawyers provide free consultations for NTA recipients. We evaluate defenses, explain court process, appear at all hearings.

Defenses to Deportation in Brooklyn

Multiple defenses to deportation exist. Success depends on your specific situation:

Asylum – If you fear persecution in home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or particular social group. Brooklyn Immigration Court hears thousands of asylum cases – from China, Middle East, West Africa, Central America, Eastern Europe. Must apply within 1 year of arrival unless exception applies. Success rate varies by country and judge.

Cancellation of Removal (Non-LPRs) – For non-permanent residents who’ve been in U.S. 10+ years continuously, have good moral character, and have qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR relative who would suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if you’re removed. Limited to 4,000 grants nationwide per year. Extremely competitive. Brooklyn judges scrutinize hardship evidence carefully.

Cancellation of Removal (LPRs) – For lawful permanent residents who’ve had green card 5+ years, resided in U.S. 7+ years after lawful admission, and have no aggravated felony. Discretionary – judge weighs positive factors (family ties, work history, rehabilitation) against negative factors (criminal history).

Adjustment of Status – If you have approved I-130 or I-140 and visa number is current, you may adjust status before immigration judge. Common for Brooklyn residents with U.S. citizen spouses or approved employment petitions.

Withholding of Removal – Higher standard than asylum (must prove more likely than not you’ll be persecuted), but no 1-year filing deadline. Available when asylum is time-barred.

CAT Protection – Convention Against Torture protection if you’ll more likely than not be tortured in your country. Available even for people with serious criminal convictions.

Our Brooklyn deportation defense lawyers evaluate every possible defense. We identify relief you qualify for, gather evidence, present winning cases to immigration judges.

Criminal Convictions and Deportation

Many Brooklyn deportation cases involve criminal convictions. Certain convictions make you deportable:

– Aggravated felonies (broadly defined – includes many non-felonies)

– Crimes involving moral turpitude

– Controlled substance violations (even simple possession)

– Firearms offenses

– Domestic violence convictions

Criminal convictions don’t automatically mean deportation. Defenses exist:

**Post-Conviction Relief** – Vacating conviction, sentence modification, plea withdrawal. If conviction is vacated for reasons other than immigration consequences, it may no longer be deportation ground.

**Categorical Approach Analysis** – Immigration judges apply “categorical approach” to determine if conviction matches immigration definition. Many convictions don’t qualify as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude under categorical approach.

**Waivers** – 212(h) waiver for crimes involving moral turpitude (if not aggravated felony). I-601 waiver for other grounds.

Our Brooklyn deportation lawyers work with criminal attorneys to pursue post-conviction relief. We analyze convictions under categorical approach, finding defenses prosecutors miss.

Mandatory Detention and Bond

Some Brooklyn residents in deportation proceedings are detained. Mandatory detention applies to people with certain criminal convictions, prior removal orders, or deemed national security threats.

If not subject to mandatory detention, you can request bond. Immigration judge conducts bond hearing considering flight risk and danger to community. Brooklyn judges set bonds ranging from $5,000-$25,000 typically, sometimes higher.

If judge denies bond or sets excessive amount, you can appeal to BIA or file habeas corpus in federal district court.

Our Brooklyn deportation defense attorneys fight for bond release. We present evidence of community ties, family support, employment, showing you’re not flight risk.

Master Calendar and Individual Hearings

Brooklyn Immigration Court deportation proceedings involve two hearing types:

**Master Calendar Hearings** – Short hearings (5-15 minutes) for scheduling. Judge confirms identity, advises of rights, provides list of free legal services, sets deadlines for applications, schedules individual hearing. Multiple cases heard same time slot.

**Individual Hearings** – Trial on removability and relief. DHS attorney presents evidence you’re removable. You present evidence of eligibility for relief. Witnesses testify. Documents entered. Judge issues decision – oral or written.

Individual hearings are full trials. You need experienced deportation defense lawyers who know how to examine witnesses, submit evidence, make legal arguments.

Brooklyn Deportation Defense Services We Provide

Immigration Court Representation – Master calendar hearings, individual hearings, bond hearings at 26 Federal Plaza

Applications for Relief – Asylum, cancellation, adjustment, withholding, CAT

Criminal Immigration Defense – Post-conviction relief, categorical approach analysis, waivers

Bond Hearings – Custody redetermination, bond appeals

Appeals – BIA appeals of removal orders

Stays of Removal – Emergency stays when deportation imminent

ICE Check-Ins – Accompanying clients to Brooklyn ICE office

Why Spodek Law Group for Brooklyn Deportation Defense

We pride ourselves on having a rock star team of attorneys who have over 50 years of combined experience. We’ve defended thousands of Brooklyn residents in deportation proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey. Our firm has been featured on NY Post, Newsweek, Fox 5, Business Insider, Bloomberg, USA Today, and the New York Times.

We’re available 24/7. Our managing partner, Todd Spodek, is a seasoned attorney – who has many, many, years of experience. Regardless of how complicated your case is – we can help you.

Call Spodek Law Group today. Brooklyn deportation defense requires local court knowledge and aggressive advocacy – you need the best Brooklyn deportation defense lawyers fighting to keep you in the United States.