Here at the Florida Immigration Law Counsel, we have extensive experience handling immigration motions. We can advise you on your situation and help you take the steps towards a better outcome.
When the immigration court makes a decision, you have the right to fight the outcome. You could reopen the case or ask them to reconsider their decision. Either way, the court could decide to change the outcome. They might reverse a decision to deport you, or change their mind about granting you a green card. With a motion, you can get a second chance.
There are two basic types of motion. A motion to reopen a case is applicable for situations involving new facts. If you discovered new facts or evidence after the original hearing, you may be able to reopen the case and present your new evidence.
In other cases, a motion to reconsider is more relevant. You can file this motion when the original decision does not apply the law correctly, or when it violates constitutional rights.
You can file both motions at the same time. However, it’s best to consult with an attorney. They can explain more about how an immigration motion works.
You shouldn’t hesitate to file your motion. If you wait too long, you could lose your chance. Immigration law requires you to file within 30 days of the final order for your removal, exclusion, or deportation. If the decision came through the mail, you have 33 days to file.
There are a few exceptions. When the government issues an order “in absentia”, the individual may be able to apply after the deadline. They might excuse a missed deadline if the delay was beyond the applicant’s control.
There are many reasons you could choose to file a motion. Here are a few of the most common reasons for motions to reopen:
There is no guarantee that the court will hear your case again or re-evaluate the decision. If there is no evidence supporting the motion, the court will deny it. For instance, someone who files a motion to reopen needs to show affidavits or reports. They must explain why the evidence was not available at the time of the hearing.
For a successful motion, you need to go through the necessary steps. First, you need to make sure you are eligible. Then, you must file a Form I-290B. The form is also known as a Notice of Appeal or Motion. On the form, you need to choose which type of motion you are filing.
In your paperwork, you need to include the filing fee. If you are filing two motions, you don’t need to pay more to file. You can pay with a credit card or check.
The USCIS might opt to waive your fee if you can’t pay it. However, you need to include your request for a fee waiver with your application. They offer waives to those who have an income at or lower than the poverty guidelines, a means-tested benefit, or a financial hardship that keeps you from paying the fee.
You cannot mail your motion directly to the Administrative Appeals Unit. Rather, you need to send it to the address given by the USCIS website. If you mail your motion to the wrong place, you will receive it back.
Often, immigrants have many questions about the motion process. Here’s a look at some of the most frequent questions:
In some cases, an immigrant files a motion to prevent removal from the country. But this might not stop the process. You could still be deported.
That said, this isn’t always the case. If your removal order occurred “in absentia,” a motion to reopen automatically stops the order. The similar is true of those who want to stay in the country for humanitarian reasons. For instance, the immigration court could stay orders for a battered spouse.
Even if you are deported, your motion doesn’t terminate after you leave the country. If things go well, you may be able to return to the U.S.
After a voluntary departure period expires, you cannot be in the country. If you remain, you will be unable to file a motion. Refusing to leave the country after the departure period immediately disqualifies you from a chance at a new decision.
There’s no guarantee your motion will be a success. If it fails, you may have a chance at another day in court.
Typically, an individual can only file one motion to reopen a case. But, there are some exceptions. For instance, the court tends to allow those with “in absentia” removal to appeal or refile a motion.
If your original motion was denied, you could appeal the decision with the Board of Immigration Appeals. They can choose to either deny or accept the appeal. If they deny it, you might have another option. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit could receive your appeal and grant it.
In any case, you need to make your appeal within a certain timeframe. Waiting too long means you can no longer appeal the decision. Therefore, you should work with an attorney to get results quickly.
Because there is so much at stake, some individuals choose to work with an attorney. While this isn’t mandatory, it is highly recommended. One small mistake could make your motion a failure.
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Caring and compassionate, Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez is a Florida immigration attorney dedicated to producing the results her clients need. She has over 17 years of experience helping both corporate and individual clients with an emphasis in employment/investment cases and family adjustment cases.
As the Managing Attorney at Florida Immigration Law Counsel, Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez and her team are capable of representing and helping individuals looking to attain a Family Visa, Work Visa, and Citizenship/Naturalization. Her experience successfully representing clients in front of the Department of Justice for cases involving Deportation/Removal Proceedings will lead to success in your case.
Her experience and expertise in immigration litigation has led to multiple Avvo awards and other accolades, including the Clients’ Choice for 2017 Immigration Attorney. Her clients also consistently post positive reviews on her Facebook page. Her experience has also allowed her to teach a new generation of lawyers as an adjunct professor of law at Nova Southeastern University, and she also regularly gives speeches on immigration matters.
Counselor Gonzalez is also experienced in helping corporate clients through the process of filing for Employment Visas, Labor Certifications, and Business and Investment Visas with the Department of Labor. She takes on the entire case from start to finish, simplifying the process for her clients and allowing them to focus on their business.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Farsi – Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez is dedicated to making her clients feel comfortable and assured in making her their go-to immigration attorney in Florida. Her goal is to ensure that those who want to live the American dream have a professional fighting for them and making the process as painless as possible.
Saman’s passion for immigration law stems from her personal life as the daughter of immigrants. Her parents were recipients of the student F1 visa in 1971. Her father came into this country with the goal to improve his life and the life of his children. He earned a PhD in Civil Engineering and Business, instilling in his daughter a strong work ethic that she carries to this day. Saman saw firsthand what it means to be an immigrant and achieve the American Dream.
Saman Movassaghi Gonzalez can personally understand the struggle of immigrants and the children of immigrants navigating through the bureaucratic process of immigration law. Because of this, she dedicates herself fully and provides her personal attention to every case. She prides herself on developing a strong relationship with each and every client, and she is not afraid of pushing the envelope and looking for answers where other attorneys have failed.
Saman Movassaghi makes it her goal to provide you with only the best representation for immigration matters because she believes it’s time for you to live the American dream!