Immigration Protection: The Urgency of Defending Your Rights in Houston

Do you need a lawyer for deportation? Act quickly

If you received a deportation notice or you're being held by immigration in Houston, Texas, I know you're going through a time of great fear and stress. The idea of being separated from your family or from the life you've built here is overwhelming. But you're not alone in this: finding an immigration lawyer quickly can be your best option to fight to stay. In a city as large and diverse as Houston, there are professionals who know how to handle these cases and who can act without wasting time to help you.

Here are some examples of why you should act urgently:

• You received a "Notice to Appear" and you only have a few days to respond before your case moves forward.
• You're detained at an immigration center and need to request bond to get out while they fight your case.
• You have a court hearing soon and don't know how to prepare or what to say.
• You discovered that an old deportation order was reactivated and they're looking for you.

Time is crucial when it comes to deportation. If you received a "Notice to Appear" or you're in a detention center, every day counts. An expert immigration lawyer can review your case immediately, explain what's happening, and look for ways to stop the process or find a solution. It doesn't matter if you made a mistake in the past or if your situation is complicated; a good lawyer will fight for you and for your rights.

How to get a work permit and fix your immigration status

If you came to the United States without papers, I know that getting a work permit might seem like a distant dream. But I have good news for you: there are legal paths to achieve it! However, it's not something just anyone can request. You have to meet certain requirements to get what's called the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which is like your pass to work legally in Texas.

Who can apply for it? Here are some situations where you might qualify:

• If you're in the middle of a process to fix your residency.
• If you're requesting that they cancel a deportation.
• If you applied for asylum (or already received it).
• If you're a refugee or have some protection against deportation.

Important: until you have that permit in hand and approved, you can't start working. It's super important that you know this.

My advice is to find an immigration lawyer who can help you. They're the ones who can best examine your case closely and tell you: "Look, you could go this route." For example, if you're afraid to return to your country because you're being persecuted or something like that, you could try asylum, and then that would open the door for you to request a work permit.

To apply for the EAD, you'll need to fill out form I-765, pay a fee (yes, you have to save up for that) and send documents that show your situation. Depending on your case, they can give it to you for one or two years. If you want to know how long it takes to get it, check out the USCIS website, they give you an idea there.

Your rights if you're detained by immigration authorities or police

Being detained, whether by police or immigration officers, can be one of those things that makes your legs shake. I understand perfectly. But I want you to know something important: you have rights, even if you don't have papers.

If something like this happens to you, here's what you can do:

• Stay calm. Don't run or start arguing, okay?
• Don't make sudden movements and keep your hands visible.
• Never lie about who you are or use false documents, that only makes things worse.

You have the right to remain silent. You don't have to tell them where you were born, how you arrived, or what your immigration status is. If you don't want to talk, just say clearly: "I'm exercising my right to remain silent." That's it, nothing more.

If you have any valid document with you, like a permit or something like that, always carry it. If you don't have anything, you can say you want to speak with a lawyer before answering anything.

You can also say that you don't give permission for them to search your things, unless they have a judge's order or a very clear reason. If they detain you, you have the right to call your family or a lawyer, and also to have them visit you for legal help.

A golden tip: Have a plan just in case:

• Memorize some important phone numbers.
• Make arrangements for who can take care of your children if you're not there.
• Make sure your children's school knows who to call if something happens.

How to protect your family and avoid deportation

I know that one of the things that worries you most is keeping your family together. If you're undocumented, bringing someone from your country legally is almost impossible, but you can do things to protect those who are already here with you.

• Make a family emergency plan. Write down who can make decisions for your children (medical or legal matters) if you can't.
• Tell the schools or daycares what that plan is.
• Teach your loved ones not to panic if they're detained and to ask for a lawyer quickly.

There are cases where you might qualify for some immigration help, like if you've been here for many years, you have family who are citizens, or you're in one of those difficult humanitarian situations. A lawyer can review your history and tell you if there's hope.

How your immigration or criminal background affects you

If you've ever had a problem with immigration or the law, things can get more complicated. I won't lie to you, that carries weight.

There are crimes that, according to the rules, can send you back to your country or prevent you from entering, even if you already have a green card or came with a visa. Even something small can be a problem if they see it as a "crime of moral turpitude", like hurting someone or getting involved in fraud. It all depends on your case.

If you were deported before, returning legally is an uphill battle, and you could face a punishment of several years.

That's why a lawyer who knows the subject well is your best ally. They can see if there's a chance to request a waiver or some solution that gets you out of trouble. Every case is different, and laws sometimes change, so don't get overconfident.

How long processes take and what happens if laws change

The time it will take for all this depends on a thousand things: what you're requesting, which office is reviewing it, and how many people they have in line.

For example:

• For the work permit (EAD), you can check the processing times on the USCIS website.
• But if it's something like asylum or a case in court, prepare yourself, because it could be months or even years.

And while you wait, immigration laws can take a turn. A new president, Congress, or the courts can change the rules about who qualifies or what they require from you. Some changes might benefit you, but others could make things more difficult.

That's why, talk regularly with your lawyer and stay informed with groups that support immigrants. Comply with everything they ask of you, go to your appointments, and stay away from legal problems. That will give you more chances for everything to work out well.

*Notice: The basic information on this page or website is NOT in any way legal advice or legal representation. Read our full notice here