Immigration Court Lawyer Chesapeake, VA
Immigration court proceedings in Chesapeake, Virginia, are conducted under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). For Chesapeake residents, removal defense and deportation relief cases are typically heard at the Arlington Immigration Court, located at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents individuals and families before the immigration court in matters including defensive asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status in removal proceedings, and bond hearings. Mr. Sris, a former prosecutor who founded the firm in 1997, leads the immigration practice; the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional experience in federal immigration law. Whether you received a Notice to Appear or are seeking relief from removal, contact our firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation about your immigration court case. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
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ToggleWhat Immigration Court Means in Chesapeake, Virginia
Chesapeake residents who face removal proceedings have their cases adjudicated in the federal immigration court system. The nearest immigration courts are the Arlington Immigration Court at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202, and the Sterling Immigration Court at 21400 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 200, Sterling, VA 20166. Affirmative applications—such as green card applications, naturalization, and work permits—are processed through the USCIS Washington District Office at 2675 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031. Chesapeake, located in the Hampton Roads region along I-64 and I-464, is within commuting distance of these federal facilities. Local residents may also encounter immigration issues through interactions with state courts, but immigration status and removal proceedings themselves are exclusively federal. The firm’s Richmond location, at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Room 395, Richmond, VA 23225, serves clients throughout the Chesapeake area with representation in immigration court matters.
Immigration court in Virginia handles a range of proceedings. A Notice to Appear (NTA) initiates removal proceedings under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. § 1229. The notice specifies the charges against the noncitizen and the right to counsel. Because Chesapeake is in the first judicial district of Virginia, residents may be familiar with the Chesapeake General District Court or Chesapeake City Circuit Court for state matters, but those courts have no jurisdiction over federal immigration proceedings. Our firm helps Chesapeake residents navigate the federal immigration court process, including master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings, bond redeterminations, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). We assist with preparing applications for relief, gathering evidence, and presenting a strong case before the immigration judge.
How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Immigration Court Cases
When you engage Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. for an immigration court matter, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys begin by reviewing the Notice to Appear, your immigration history, and any potential defenses or forms of relief. The team works with you to understand your goals—whether you are seeking asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or another form of relief—and develops a strategy tailored to your circumstances. We handle bond hearings to seek release from immigration detention when possible, prepare and file motions, and represent you at master calendar hearings and individual merits hearings before the immigration judge. Because immigration court operates under strict procedures and evidentiary standards, having experienced representation helps ensure that your application is properly documented and that your testimony is presented effectively.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys, who contract directly with the firm and are not employees, bring extensive collective experience in immigration matters. Mr. Sris and these attorneys work collaboratively to prepare cases and appear at the Arlington or Sterling immigration courts. Our approach is to address both the legal arguments and the practical realities of each case—whether it involves presenting country condition evidence in an asylum case, demonstrating hardship to a qualifying relative in a cancellation of removal case, or challenging the government’s charges on legal grounds. We maintain regular communication with clients, explain each step of the process, and advocate at every hearing. To discuss your immigration court matter, call (888) 437-7747.
About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys
Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has practiced immigration law since founding the firm in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). He personally handles immigration court cases and works alongside the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys to provide representation across the five jurisdictions.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are independent practitioners who contract directly with Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. They are not employees, associates, or partners. Many have years of experience in federal practice, including immigration matters. Together, Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring extensive collective experience to immigration court representation. For a consultation about your case, reach our firm at (888) 437-7747.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a green card cost?
The U.S. Government sets specific filing fees for green card applications, which are separate from any attorney fees. Below are the current USCIS fees for the most common forms. These fees are subject to change, and fee waivers may be available for income-eligible applicants. Attorney fees are determined during the consultation and vary depending on the complexity of the case.
The I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status carries a current filing fee of $1,440.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule. USCIS Filing Fees
The I-130 Petition for Alien Relative has a filing fee of $675.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule. USCIS Filing Fees
A biometric services fee of $85 is required for most applications, including Form I-485.
Source: USCIS Fee Schedule. USCIS Filing Fees
To get an accurate estimate of total costs for your situation, contact our firm at (888) 437-7747 for a consultation.
How long does it take to get a green card?
Processing times for green card applications vary significantly by category, country of origin, and USCIS workload. Immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens—such as spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21—may complete the process in approximately 8 to 14 months. Family preference categories, where the applicant is a more distant relative, often face backlogs of several years, and some categories from high-demand countries may wait 5 to 20 years or longer. Employment-based green cards also vary, generally taking 12 to 36 months or more. Chesapeake residents applying affirmatively will have their cases processed at the USCIS Washington District Office in Fairfax, VA. For the most current estimates, consult with an immigration attorney who can review your priority date and category.
What happens if I get a deportation notice?
Receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA) means the government has initiated removal proceedings against you. The NTA will list the date and location of your hearing—for Chesapeake residents, this is typically at the Arlington Immigration Court. You have the right to an attorney, but the government does not provide one. It is critical to review the NTA carefully, attend all hearings, and obtain legal representation as soon as possible. Your attorney can determine whether you are eligible for relief such as asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or voluntary departure. Missing a hearing can result in an in absentia removal order. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 if you have received an NTA.
Do I need a lawyer for immigration court in Virginia?
You are not required to have a lawyer in immigration court, but the consequences of proceeding without one can be severe. Immigration law is complex, and the government is represented by an attorney from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An experienced immigration lawyer can help you assess your eligibility for relief, gather and present evidence, prepare witnesses, and argue legal defenses. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle immigration court cases for clients in Chesapeake and throughout Virginia. To discuss whether we can assist with your case, call (888) 437-7747.
Can I get a bond to be released from immigration detention?
In many cases, individuals detained by ICE can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. At the bond hearing, the judge considers whether you are a flight risk or a danger to the community. Factors include family ties, employment history, criminal record, and eligibility for immigration relief. If bond is granted, you pay the amount and are released while your removal case proceeds. If bond is denied, you can appeal. Our firm represents detainees at bond hearings before the Arlington Immigration Court. Contact us at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your situation.
What is cancellation of removal?
Cancellation of removal is a discretionary form of relief that, if granted, allows a noncitizen in removal proceedings to become a lawful permanent resident. For non-lawful permanent residents, eligibility generally requires 10 years of continuous physical presence in the United States, good moral character, no certain criminal convictions, and a showing that removal would cause dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. For lawful permanent residents, the requirements differ. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate eligibility for cancellation of removal and prepare the necessary applications. If you are facing removal, call (888) 437-7747.
Explore additional immigration resources:
- Fairfax County Immigration Lawyer
- Fairfax City Immigration Lawyer
- Falls Church Immigration Lawyer
- Prince William County Immigration Lawyer
- Manassas Immigration Lawyer
Official resources for immigration information:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – Green card and naturalization forms, processing times.
- Executive Office for Immigration Review – Immigration court information, practice manual.
- U.S. Code Title 8 – Immigration and Nationality Act – Federal immigration statutes.
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