What happens at an immigration court hearing in Chesapeake
You open your mailbox and find an official envelope from the Department of Homeland Security. Inside is a document titled Notice to Appear. It says you must go before an immigration judge. For Chesapeake residents, that means reporting to the Arlington Immigration Court at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, Virginia. Your stomach tightens as questions flood your mind: Will I be taken into custody? Can I present a defense? What if the judge orders removal? You are not alone. Many people face this moment, and having an experienced immigration attorney beside you can change how the day unfolds. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys regularly appear before the Arlington Immigration Court on behalf of clients from Chesapeake and throughout Hampton Roads. Reach our firm at (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation about your hearing. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What to expect at your immigration court hearing
When you arrive at the Arlington Immigration Court, you will pass through security and check in at the clerk’s window. Your case is on the docket along with many others. The hearing room looks like a courtroom, but immigration court is an administrative forum within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), not a criminal court. An immigration judge presides. A government attorney from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presents the grounds for removal. You have the right to be represented by counsel, though the government does not provide a lawyer for you.
The first hearing is often a master calendar hearing — a brief scheduling appearance. The judge will confirm your identity, read the charges on the Notice to Appear, and ask whether you admit or deny the allegations. If you do not have legal representation, the judge may grant a short continuance so you can find an attorney. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel can enter an appearance at this stage, address the charges, and request additional time to prepare if needed. At the master calendar hearing, the judge also sets the date for your individual merits hearing, where you will present your application for relief from removal.
The individual merits hearing: presenting your case
The individual hearing is your opportunity to explain why you should be allowed to remain in the United States. You may apply for asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, or other forms of relief. You or your attorney can submit documents, call witnesses, and testify on your own behalf. The ICE attorney may cross‑examine you and challenge your evidence. The immigration judge then decides whether you qualify for relief and whether you may stay in the country.
The experience can be intimidating. Having an attorney who knows the Arlington Immigration Court’s procedures and the judges’ expectations can help you present your strong case. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel handle each hearing stage, from filing timely applications and evidentiary submissions to preparing you to testify clearly and credibly. Because immigration court is a civil proceeding, the legal standard is not “beyond a reasonable doubt” — but the stakes are no less serious. A removal order can separate you from your family and ban you from returning for years.
Possible outcomes and what happens next
At the end of the hearing, the judge may issue a decision immediately or take the case under advisement and mail a written decision later. If you are granted relief — such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status — you receive a formal order allowing you to remain. If the judge denies relief and orders you removed, you have the right to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) within 30 days. An appeal stays the removal order while it is pending. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel can evaluate the judge’s decision, identify appealable errors, and file the necessary briefs with the BIA.
Some hearings result in a grant of voluntary departure, which permits you to leave the United States on your own timetable and avoid the stigma of a formal removal order. Other cases may be terminated if ICE cannot prove the charges, or administratively closed if you become eligible for a pending benefit with USCIS. Every case is different, and the outcome depends on the facts and the relief you seek.
How an immigration attorney can help before the hearing
A lawyer does more than stand beside you in court. When you engage Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel begin working immediately to prepare your case. They review the Notice to Appear for procedural defects, gather supporting evidence, and file all necessary applications with the court and, where applicable, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For Chesapeake residents, USCIS filings for affirmative applications, such as green cards and naturalization, are processed at the USCIS Washington District Office at 2675 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, Virginia.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys also assess your eligibility for bond if you are detained. Immigration bond hearings are separate from the removal hearing and can result in your release from custody while your case proceeds. Mr. Sris has handled immigration bond matters and can argue for a reasonable bond or for your release on recognizance. Having an attorney who understands the bond process and the Arlington Immigration Court’s practices can make a material difference in whether you spend months in detention or return home to your family while your case moves forward.
About Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys
Mr. Sris founded Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. in 1997. A former prosecutor, he brings decades of courtroom experience to immigration defense. He 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 concentrates his practice on complex immigration and criminal defense matters.
The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys include practitioners with deep backgrounds in deportation defense, family-based petitions, and consular processing. Together, Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel provide a multi‑state platform for clients who face removal proceedings in the Arlington Immigration Court or who need affirmative filings with USCIS. Our Richmond Location serves clients in Chesapeake and throughout southeastern Virginia. Reach our firm at (888) 437-7747 to discuss your immigration court hearing.
Chesapeake General District Court is currently presided over by Hon. Michael R. Katchmark. Court hours: Mon‑Fri 8:00 AM‑4:00 PM. Immigration matters are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court (EOIR), not the Chesapeake General District Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at an immigration court hearing in Chesapeake?
The hearing takes place at the Arlington Immigration Court, where an immigration judge reviews the government’s charges and considers any applications for relief you have filed. You will enter the courtroom, check in with the clerk, and wait for your case to be called. The judge will confirm your identity, read the allegations in the Notice to Appear, and ask how you respond. If you have an attorney, your lawyer will answer for you and outline the relief you are seeking. The judge then schedules further proceedings, such as an individual merits hearing, or proceeds to decide the case if all evidence is ready.
How long does an immigration court hearing take?
The length varies by case, but a master calendar hearing often lasts only a few minutes, while an individual merits hearing can take several hours or span multiple sessions. The Arlington Immigration Court’s docket is busy, and continuances are common. The overall timeline for a removal case in the Arlington court can span over two years due to backlogs. Having an attorney who properly documents your claims and avoids unnecessary delays can help move your case more efficiently.
Do I need a lawyer for an immigration court hearing?
You are not required to have a lawyer, but representing yourself in removal proceedings is extremely difficult and risky. Immigration court has complex rules of evidence and procedure. Without an attorney, you must cross‑examine the ICE attorney, argue legal points, and present persuasive evidence on your own. Most people who succeed in immigration court are represented by counsel. At Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel provide representation at all stages of removal proceedings for Chesapeake residents.
What is an immigration bond hearing, and can I get one?
An immigration bond hearing is a separate proceeding where you ask the judge to set a bond so you can be released from detention while your removal case continues. To be eligible, you must not be subject to mandatory detention under the Immigration and Nationality Act (for example, certain criminal convictions). Your attorney presents evidence that you are not a flight risk and pose no danger to the community. If the judge grants bond and you post it, you will be released. Mr. Sris handles bond hearings at the Arlington Immigration Court.
How much does it cost to hire an immigration attorney for a hearing?
Attorney fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the relief you are seeking. Some cases require only a few court appearances; others involve extensive evidence‑gathering and multiple hearings. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Discusses fees during your initial consultation. Payment plans may be available. Contact our firm at (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation and receive a fee estimate for your specific situation. Results may vary.
What happens if I get a deportation notice?
A Notice to Appear starts a removal proceeding, but it is not a deportation order. You have the right to contest the charges and apply for relief before a judge. Do not ignore the document. If you fail to appear, the judge may order you removed in your absence (in absentia). Contact an immigration attorney immediately to review the allegations, determine your eligibility for relief, and prepare your defense. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel represent clients who have received a Notice to Appear and appear at the Arlington Immigration Court.
Can I apply for asylum at my immigration court hearing?
Yes, if you fear persecution in your home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, you may apply for asylum during removal proceedings. You must file the application (Form I‑589) within one year of your arrival in the United States, unless an exception applies. The judge will hear your asylum claim as part of the individual merits hearing. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys prepare asylum applications, gather country‑condition documentation, and present your testimony to the court.
What is cancellation of removal, and am I eligible?
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows certain non‑permanent residents or lawful permanent residents to avoid removal and obtain lawful status. For non‑permanent residents, you generally must show ten years of continuous physical presence, good moral character, no disqualifying convictions, and that your removal would cause dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent, or child. Lawful permanent residents have different, less stringent requirements. Mr. Sris can evaluate whether you meet the statutory criteria.
What happens if the judge orders me removed?
If the immigration judge orders you removed, you have 30 days to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). During the appeal, the removal order is generally stayed. If you do not appeal or if the BIA upholds the order, ICE may detain you and carry out the removal. In some cases, you may seek a stay of removal from the circuit court of appeals or file a motion to reopen with the immigration court. Prompt action is critical. Contact our firm immediately if you receive an adverse decision.
How do I find an immigration court lawyer for Chesapeake?
To find an experienced immigration lawyer for Chesapeake, look for an attorney who regularly appears before the Arlington Immigration Court and understands the local procedures. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves clients throughout Hampton Roads from our Richmond Location. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel are familiar with the judges, the docketing system, and the filing requirements at the Arlington Immigration Court. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a consultation about your upcoming hearing or any immigration matter.
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