{"id":352774,"date":"2022-08-19T07:42:47","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T12:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/immigration\/deportation-removal\/overview-of-removal-procedures.html"},"modified":"2025-09-19T14:05:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T19:05:36","slug":"overview-of-removal-procedures","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/immigration\/deportation-removal\/overview-of-removal-procedures.html","title":{"rendered":"What Are Removal Proceedings for Deportation?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Are Removal Proceedings for Deportation?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Deportation or removal is the legal process by which the U.S. government<\/span> sends foreign nationals back to their home countries.<\/span>\u00a0This process includes multiple steps and court hearings<\/span>. An immigration judge<\/span> determines whether the individual should leave the U.S. or qualify for relief from removal.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In this article, we’ll use the terms “removal” and “deportation”\u00a0interchangeably. Both refer to legal proceedings in which the U.S. government<\/span> expels or sends a non-U.S. citizen<\/span> back to their home country<\/span>. “Removal” is more often used in immigration statutes and court documents. Media sources typically use the term “deportation<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

This article explains the steps involved in these proceedings and what to expect if facing a potential deportation.<\/p>\n

If you are facing deportation<\/span> proceedings<\/span>, contact an immigration attorney<\/span><\/a>. Even if you do not have a legal immigration status<\/span>, your conversations with an immigration attorney<\/span> are protected by the attorney-client privilege. They can\u2019t report you to immigration authorities, and you cannot get arrested for seeking legal advice<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Understanding Removal Under US <\/span>Immigration<\/span> Law<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Some circumstances that can trigger removal proceedings<\/span> include:<\/p>\n

Removal is a legal action where the government decides whether to allow someone to remain in the United States or orders them to leave the country. The proceeding often arises when a noncitizen<\/span> allegedly violates U.S. <\/span>immigration<\/span> laws<\/span><\/a> or commits a crime.<\/p>\n