Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group P.C. - a second-generation law firm managed by Todd Spodek. We have over 50 years of combined experience defending Suffolk County residents in deportation proceedings. Our immigration attorneys have represented thousands of clients at 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 Suffolk County in 2025, you're confronting unprecedented legal challenges. In January 2025, federal court ruled Suffolk County must pay approximately $60 million in damages to 650 people detained by Suffolk County Sheriff's Office at ICE request between 2014-2018. In July 2025, honors student Sara Lizeth Lopez Garcia was detained by ICE agents and sent to Louisiana detention facility despite having no criminal record and being in process of obtaining green card. ICE enforcement remains aggressive throughout Suffolk County.
You need Suffolk County deportation defense lawyers who know Immigration Court, who can identify defenses, who have won thousands of cases.
Suffolk County Federal Court Ruling - January 2025
Key findings:
- Suffolk County owes $60 million in damages and fees
- ICE and Homeland Security dismissed from owing damages (granted immunity)
- No immunity granted for Suffolk County
- Ruling recognizes unlawful detention practices
This ruling underscores importance of knowing your rights when Suffolk County law enforcement encounters you on immigration matters. Not all detentions are lawful.
If this is your situation
Stop reading. Start defending.
Our Suffolk County deportation defense attorneys know your rights. We challenge unlawful detentions. We fight ICE overreach.
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.
Suffolk County 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 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, community)
5. Identify potential relief from removal
Our Suffolk County deportation lawyers provide consultations for NTA recipients. We evaluate defenses, explain court process, appear at all hearings.
Defenses to Deportation for Suffolk County 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. 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 Suffolk County residents with U.S. citizen spouses or approved family 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 Suffolk County deportation defense attorneys evaluate every possible defense. We identify relief you qualify for, gather evidence, present winning cases to immigration judges.
Criminal Convictions and Suffolk County Deportation Cases
Many Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County deportation lawyers work with criminal attorneys to pursue post-conviction relief. We analyze convictions under categorical approach. We identify defenses prosecutors miss.
Recent Suffolk County ICE Enforcement - July 2025 Case
In July 2025, Sara Lizeth Lopez Garcia, honors student at Suffolk County Community College, was detained by ICE agents one day before commencement and just weeks before her wedding. Despite having no criminal record and being in process of obtaining green card (had special juvenile immigration status), she was sent to Louisiana detention facility.
This case demonstrates ICE enforcement in Suffolk County targets individuals regardless of:
- Educational achievements
- Pending green card applications
- Lack of criminal history
- Community ties
Our Suffolk County deportation defense attorneys respond to ICE arrests 24/7. We appear at bond hearings. We fight for release from detention.
Bond Hearings - Fighting for Release
If ICE detains you, immigration judge conducts bond hearing considering flight risk and danger to community. Judge sets bond amount (typically $5,000-$25,000+) or denies bond.
If judge denies bond or sets excessive amount, you can appeal to BIA or file habeas corpus in federal court.
Our Suffolk County deportation defense attorneys fight for bond release. We present evidence of community ties - family in Suffolk County, employment, home ownership, church membership, community involvement, educational enrollment (like Sara Lopez Garcia) - showing you're not flight risk.
Immigration Court Hearings
Suffolk County deportation proceedings involve hearings at Immigration Court:
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 Suffolk County deportation attorneys try cases regularly. We know how to present asylum claims, cancellation applications, adjustment cases. We know what evidence judges require.
Suffolk County Immigration Resources
These resources serve individuals who qualify for free services. Complex deportation cases involving criminal history, multiple applications, or ICE detention require private counsel with extensive trial experience.
Our Suffolk County deportation defense attorneys handle complex cases requiring extensive litigation and trial preparation.
Suffolk County Deportation Defense Services We Provide
Immigration Court Representation - Master calendar hearings, individual hearings, bond hearings
Applications for Relief - Asylum, cancellation, adjustment, withholding, CAT
Criminal Immigration Defense - Post-conviction relief coordination, categorical approach analysis, waivers
ICE Detention Response - 24/7 emergency response to ICE arrests
Bond Hearings - Fighting for release from detention
Appeals - BIA appeals of removal orders
Stays of Removal - Emergency stays when deportation imminent
Federal Court Litigation - Habeas corpus petitions, federal appeals, challenging unlawful detention
Why Spodek Law Group P.C. for Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 P.C. today. Suffolk County deportation defense requires understanding ICE enforcement, court procedures, and aggressive advocacy - you need the best Suffolk County deportation defense lawyers fighting to keep you in the United States.