Immigration Court Lawyer Arlington County, VA
Immigration court proceedings in Arlington County, Virginia are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court, located at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202. If you or a family member have received a Notice to Appear (NTA) initiating removal proceedings, you need an experienced immigration court lawyer who regularly appears before the Arlington Immigration Court. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides immigration court representation for Arlington County residents facing deportation. Mr. Sris, the firm’s Owner and Founder, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys concentrate their practice on removal defense, cancellation of removal, asylum, bond hearings, and other relief from removal. The firm brings extensive combined experience to each immigration court case and works toward the most favorable possible outcome. To schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.
What Immigration Court Means in Arlington County, Virginia
Immigration court is the administrative court system within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) that handles removal—or deportation—proceedings. In Virginia, cases for Arlington County residents are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court, one of two EOIR immigration courts in Northern Virginia (the other is in Sterling). The Arlington Immigration Court is located at 1901 South Bell Street, Arlington, VA 22202 and serves individuals who live in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, and nearby counties.
An immigration judge presides over removal hearings, not a jury. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiates proceedings by filing a Notice to Appear. The NTA will state the allegations against you and the section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) under which the government believes you are removable. Common charges include overstaying a visa, violating the terms of a nonimmigrant status, or being convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or an aggravated felony. Because the stakes are high—removal from the United States and the loss of lawful permanent residence—having an attorney who knows both the immigration law and the local court’s practices can be critical.
Affirmative applications for relief, such as green cards (adjustment of status), naturalization, and work permits, are processed at the USCIS Washington Field Office at 2675 Prosperity Avenue in Fairfax, not at the immigration court. The immigration court handles only contested removal proceedings and certain applications for relief that may be filed during those proceedings, such as cancellation of removal, asylum, and adjustment of status in removal proceedings.
The Arlington County area also benefits from proximity to a large, diverse community of immigrants, many of whom speak Spanish or Tamil. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. serves this population through attorneys who are fluent in English and Spanish and through Mr. Sris, who speaks Tamil. The firm’s Arlington location is by appointment only; to schedule, call (888) 437-7747.
How Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Handle Immigration Court Cases
When you contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., you will speak with a member of the firm’s team and arrange a consultation. During the consultation, Mr. Sris or one of the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys will review the allegations in your NTA, discuss your immigration and criminal history, and identify possible forms of relief. Because immigration court deadlines are strict—if you miss a master calendar hearing or fail to file a timely application, you could be ordered removed—the firm acts promptly to assess your case.
The firm appears at every scheduled hearing, from the initial master calendar hearing through the individual merits hearing. Preparation includes gathering evidence in support of your application for relief, identifying and preparing witnesses, and, when appropriate, negotiating voluntary departure or other forms of relief with DHS trial attorneys. Immigration judges have broad discretion in granting bond, continuances, and relief. Having counsel who understands the local practices of the Arlington Immigration Court can help you present your strong case. Past results, of course, are not a predictor—each case turns on its own facts. Results may vary.
About Mr. Sris and His Of Counsel Team
The firm’s immigration practice is led by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Mr. Sris is a former prosecutor who has practiced law since 1997 and is admitted in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). Alongside Mr. Sris, the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys bring additional immigration experience, including prior service as a Virginia State Trooper and extensive courtroom advocacy in complex litigation.
Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel team have represented clients in Arlington County in a wide range of matters, including immigration court proceedings. Across all practice areas, the firm has 115 documented case results in Arlington County—22 dismissed or not guilty, 93 reduced or amended, and no deferred outcomes. Results may vary. past success does not guarantee a future outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an immigration court and how does it work?
Immigration court is an administrative court run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) that decides whether a noncitizen should be removed from the United States. In Arlington County, cases are heard at the Arlington Immigration Court at 1901 South Bell Street. An immigration judge conducts proceedings, not a jury. The person in removal proceedings has the right to an attorney, but the government does not pay for one. The proceedings begin when DHS files a Notice to Appear stating the charges and the legal authority for removal. After the master calendar hearing, where the judge explains the process and sets deadlines, the case proceeds to an individual hearing where the judge decides eligibility for relief.
Can I get an immigration bond in Arlington, Virginia?
Yes, an immigration judge at the Arlington Immigration Court can set a bond for someone who is detained and eligible for bond. Bond eligibility depends on whether the person is subject to mandatory detention under the INA—for example, based on certain criminal convictions—and on the judge’s assessment of flight risk and danger to the community. A bond hearing can be requested before the Immigration Court. If a bond is granted, the detainee may be released while removal proceedings continue. An experienced immigration attorney can present evidence to support a lower bond amount or argue for release on recognizance.
What is cancellation of removal and can I apply for it?
Cancellation of removal is a form of relief that allows a noncitizen placed in removal proceedings to apply for lawful permanent residence and avoid deportation. There are two main types: cancellation for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who have been LPRs for at least five years, have seven years of continuous residence in the U.S., and have not been convicted of an aggravated felony; and cancellation for non-LPRs who have ten years of continuous physical presence, good moral character, and can show that removal would cause dedicated and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying U.S. Citizen or LPR relative. The availability and requirements are strict; consultation with an immigration lawyer is essential.
What should I do if I receive a Notice to Appear?
If you receive a Notice to Appear, you should immediately contact an immigration attorney and verify the date, time, and location of your first hearing. The NTA lists the government’s allegations and the charges against you. Do not miss a hearing—failure to appear can result in an in absentia removal order. Preserve all documents related to your immigration status, criminal history, and any relief you may seek. A lawyer can review the NTA for legal deficiencies. Under recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Pereira v. Sessions and Niz-Chavez v. Garland), an NTA that lacks the proper time and date information may be defective and could impact the court’s jurisdiction. To discuss your situation, call Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.
How do I find an immigration court lawyer in Arlington County, Virginia?
Look for a local attorney who appears regularly before the Arlington Immigration Court and has experience in removal defense. Many immigration court lawyers offer an initial consultation where you can ask about their familiarity with the court, the types of relief they have handled, and their strategy for your case. Language accessibility is also important; Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. offers consultations in English and Spanish, and Mr. Sris speaks Tamil. You can schedule a consultation by calling (888) 437-7747.
For more information on related immigration resources, see our pages on immigration representation in:
Fairfax County,
Prince William County,
Stafford County,
Fauquier County, and
Loudoun County.
Additional resources: Virginia Judicial System | Virginia Code
Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results may vary.
Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.