Manhattan Deportation Defense Lawyers

Last Updated on: 15th October 2025, 06:27 pm

Manhattan 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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan in 2025, you’re confronting expanded enforcement and record detention. On July 8, 2025, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons issued a memo officially barring millions of undocumented immigrants from obtaining bond hearings, mandating mandatory detention throughout removal proceedings. As of June 24, 2025, ICE was holding over 59,000 individuals – 140% over federally funded capacity. You need deportation defense lawyers who know Immigration Court, who can identify defenses, who fight aggressively.

You need Manhattan deportation defense lawyers who know 26 Federal Plaza, who can identify relief Immigration Judges miss, who have won thousands of cases.

Manhattan Removal Proceedings – 26 Federal Plaza

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

Key facts about Manhattan cases at this court:

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

Manhattan Diversity – Manhattan cases reflect extraordinary international diversity – professionals on work visas, asylum seekers from every continent, overstays, criminal deportees.

Multiple Judges – Different immigration judges with different grant rates. Judge assignment matters enormously.

Languages – Interpreters in dozens of languages reflecting Manhattan’s global community.

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

The Notice to Appear – How Deportation Begins

Deportation begins with Notice to Appear (NTA). DHS charges you with removability – typically entering without inspection, overstaying visa, criminal conviction. NTA lists charges, hearing date, court location.

Manhattan residents receive NTAs in various ways:

– After ICE arrest at home or workplace

– In mail after denied immigration application

– After criminal conviction

– At ICE check-in

– After expiration of work visa

What to do when receiving NTA:

1. Hire deportation defense attorney immediately

2. Appear at all hearings (missing hearing = automatic removal order)

3. Don’t talk to ICE without lawyer present

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

5. Identify potential relief from removal

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

Defenses to Deportation for Manhattan Residents

Multiple defenses exist depending on your situation:

Asylum – If you fear persecution in home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or particular social group. Manhattan Immigration Court hears asylum cases from every country. Must apply within 1 year of arrival unless exception applies.

Cancellation of Removal (Non-LPRs) – For non-permanent residents who’ve been in U.S. 10+ years continuously, have good moral character, have qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR relative (spouse, parent, child) who would suffer exceptional and extremely unusual hardship if you’re removed. Only 4,000 granted nationwide annually. Extremely competitive.

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

Adjustment of Status – If you have approved I-130 or I-140 and visa number current, can adjust status before immigration judge. Common for Manhattan 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 deadline. Available when asylum 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 Manhattan deportation defense attorneys evaluate every possible defense. We identify relief you qualify for, gather evidence, present winning cases to immigration judges.

Criminal Convictions and Manhattan Deportation Cases

Many Manhattan 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

– Fraud offenses

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

**Post-Conviction Relief** – Vacating conviction, sentence modification, plea withdrawal. If conviction 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 this analysis.

**Waivers** – 212(h) waiver for crimes involving moral turpitude (if not aggravated felony). I-601 waiver for other grounds. Requires showing extreme hardship to qualifying U.S. citizen or LPR relative.

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

Mandatory Detention and Bond – 2025 Changes

On July 8, 2025, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons issued a memo officially barring millions of undocumented immigrants from obtaining bond hearings, mandating mandatory detention throughout removal proceedings. This drastically reduces bond availability for Manhattan residents in deportation.

For those not subject to new mandatory detention rules, bond hearings still possible. Immigration judge conducts bond hearing considering flight risk and danger to community.

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

Our Manhattan deportation defense attorneys fight for bond release when possible. We present evidence of community ties – family in Manhattan, employment, financial resources – showing you’re not flight risk.

Master Calendar and Individual Hearings

Manhattan 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.

**Individual Hearings** – Full trial on removability and relief. DHS attorney presents evidence you’re removable. You present evidence of eligibility for relief. Witnesses testify. Documents submitted. Judge issues decision.

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

Our Manhattan deportation attorneys try cases regularly. We know how to present asylum claims, cancellation applications, adjustment cases. We know what evidence judges require.

Manhattan 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 coordination, categorical approach analysis, waivers

Bond Hearings – When still available under 2025 restrictions

Appeals – BIA appeals of removal orders

Stays of Removal – Emergency stays when deportation imminent

Federal Court Litigation – Habeas corpus petitions, federal appeals

Why Spodek Law Group for Manhattan 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 Manhattan residents in deportation proceedings.

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. Manhattan deportation defense requires local court knowledge and aggressive advocacy – you need the best Manhattan deportation defense lawyers fighting to keep you in the United States.