Immigration · California
Removal Proceedings in California: Where Your Case Is Heard
The law applied in removal proceedings is federal and does not change at the state line. Where your case is heard does change, and it affects how the case is run.
The law itself is federal and works the same way in every state. It is covered in full on Deportation & Removal Defense. This page is only the part that changes because you are in California.
What changes in California
- Which court: California has several immigration courts serving different parts of the state.
- Detained or not: Whether you are detained matters more than which court you are in. A detained case moves on a much shorter calendar.
- State convictions: How a California criminal disposition is treated for immigration purposes is its own analysis, and it is frequently the pivot of the whole case.
Think you may have a case?
The case review takes about two minutes. It's free and confidential, with no obligation.
Related issues
Other immigration problems we handle
Family-Based Green CardsMarriage-Based Green Cards & Adjustment of StatusCitizenship & NaturalizationDACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)Asylum & Humanitarian ProtectionU-Visa & VAWA: Protection for Crime & Abuse VictimsEmployment-Based ImmigrationWaivers & Consular ProcessingAdjustment of Status (Green Card From Inside the U.S.)Green Card Renewal & Replacement (Form I-90)Work Permits (Employment Authorization / EAD)Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1)T-Visa: Protection for Trafficking SurvivorsTemporary Protected Status (TPS)Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)Immigration Bond & DetentionCancellation of RemovalKnow Your Rights: ICE Encounters & Family PreparednessAvoiding Notario Fraud: Choosing Real Legal Help