Navigating U.S. Immigration Law: Essential Insights
Facing deportation—also known as removal—is one of the most serious challenges an immigrant can face in the United States. If you or a loved one has received a Notice to Appear (NTA) or has been placed in immigration detention, you need legal help immediately.
At Gorostiaga Law, we focus on helping individuals and families stay in the U.S. by providing strong, compassionate deportation defense attorney services. Our firm, based in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is led by attorney Claudia Gorostiaga, a bilingual legal advocate who represents clients in immigration court and before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
A deportation defense attorney helps individuals facing removal stay in the U.S. legally. This includes:
•Representing clients in immigration court proceedings
•Filing applications for relief, such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status
•Preparing legal arguments and gathering supporting documents
•Appealing unfavorable decisions
•Assisting with bond hearings to seek release from detention
Our team at Gorostiaga Law provides:
•One-on-one strategy sessions
•Legal brief preparation
•Evidence collection, including family documentation, medical records, and country conditions reports
•Direct representation in EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review) hearings
•Ongoing updates and education throughout your case
•Bond hearing representation
•Relief applications (asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status)
•Motions to reopen or terminate removal proceedings
•Representation in appeals before the BIA
•Filing waivers of inadmissibility
•Advising on how visa, green card, or citizenship status affects your options
Here's what to look for:
•A lawyer who specializes in deportation and removal proceedings
•Experience in the immigration courts closest to your state or ZIP code
•Bilingual support (especially for Spanish-speaking clients)
•Clear communication, transparency, and responsiveness
At Gorostiaga Law, we've earned the trust of families throughout New Jersey who need urgent, effective defense against deportation.
•Experience with immigration court litigation
•Familiarity with both immigration law and related criminal law (if applicable)
•Empathy and cultural understanding
•Strong case preparation and strategy development
•A record of successful outcomes in bond hearings, appeals, and asylum defenses
If you're detained or scheduled to appear in a specific court (like Newark Immigration Court), having a local attorney with court experience and relationships is a major advantage. Gorostiaga Law routinely represents clients in New Jersey immigration courts and understands local procedures and expectations.
If the judge issues an order of removal, you have the right to appeal. Your attorney can:
•File a Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
•Prepare legal briefs outlining errors in the immigration judge's decision
•Submit additional evidence when permitted
•Seek a stay of removal while the appeal is pending
•File Form EOIR-26 within 30 days of the judge's decision
•Pay the required filing fee or request a fee waiver
•Draft and submit an appellate brief
•Wait for the BIA's written decision
Filing an appeal can:
•Temporarily pause your removal
•Provide a second chance for your case
•Create an opportunity to introduce new evidence or arguments
However, appeals are complex and require experienced legal drafting. That's why it's critical to work with a qualified attorney like those at Gorostiaga Law.
If you're detained by ICE, your attorney can request a bond hearing to secure your release. At Gorostiaga Law, we help by:
•Preparing supporting documents (proof of family ties, employment, lack of criminal record)
•Representing you in court and arguing for reasonable bond
•Helping your family understand how to pay and post bond
It's a legal proceeding where an immigration judge decides if a detained person:
•Is eligible for release
•Poses a flight risk or danger
•Should be granted a specific bond amount
Having an attorney present drastically increases your chances of release.
Your attorney will:
•Review your Notice to Appear (NTA)
•Help you understand the allegations against you
•Advise you on your eligibility for relief
•Represent you during master calendar hearings and individual hearings
•Ensure your rights are respected at every stage
At Gorostiaga Law, we help clients:
•Practice answering common judge questions
•Understand court etiquette and dress code
•Review their immigration history and any risks
•Prepare testimony and gather supporting documents
•Master calendar hearing (initial appearance)
•Individual hearing (your opportunity to present a defense)
•Decision by the immigration judge
•Option to appeal to the BIA
Each step has strict deadlines and procedures—your attorney ensures you're prepared and represented properly.
It can help—but not guarantee protection. Permanent residents can still face removal for:
•Certain criminal convictions
•Immigration fraud
•Abandoning residency
•Violating visa conditions
However, having a green card may qualify you for cancellation of removal or adjustment to U.S. citizenship.
U.S. citizens cannot be deported. If you were mistakenly placed in removal proceedings and have a claim to derivative citizenship, your attorney can file a motion to terminate based on your U.S. nationality.
Because removal proceedings are high-stakes and legally intensive. General practitioners may not:
•Understand the latest changes in deportation law
•Know how to build a defensive asylum case
•Have courtroom experience or a rapport with local immigration judges
•Faster responses to court notices
•Deeper knowledge of crimmigration (intersection of criminal and immigration law)
•Personalized defense strategies
•Familiarity with supporting evidence and testimony that persuades judges
At Gorostiaga Law, we know your life, your family, and your freedom are on the line. That's why we:
•Offer bilingual support (Spanish and English)
•Take time to understand your story
•Strategize based on your specific legal risks and goals
•Fight for every opportunity to keep you here—where you belong
If you or someone you love is facing deportation, don't wait. The earlier you get legal representation, the better your chances. At Gorostiaga Law, we bring years of courtroom experience, immigration knowledge, and personalized care to every case we handle.
📍 Based in Elizabeth, NJ 🌐 Visit gorostiagalaw.com 📞 Schedule your confidential consultation today
Comprehensive Case
Management:
From start to finish, we handle all paperwork, deadlines, communication with U.S. immigration authorities.
Transparent
and
Clear Guidance:
Immigration processes are complex, but we make it simple by guiding you every step of the way.
At Gorostiaga Law Firm, we go beyond paperwork, taking time to understand your story, needs, and goals.
Our multilingual team ensures clear communication and support in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Proven Expertise in U.S. Immigration:
Our firm brings extensive experience in immigration law and is up-to-date with the latest regulations.
Proven Expertise in U.S. Immigration:
Our firm brings extensive experience in immigration law and is up-to-date with the latest regulations.
Comprehensive Case Management:
From start to finish, we handle all paperwork, deadlines, communication with U.S. immigration authorities.
Transparent
and
Clear Guidance:
Immigration processes are complex, but we make it simple by guiding you every step of the way.
At Gorostiaga Law Firm, we go beyond paperwork, taking time to understand your story, needs, and goals.
At Gorostiaga Law, we provide tailored legal guidance to help individuals and families understand their rights and options, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and facilitating a smoother immigration journey.
For more detailed insights, please contact us or explore our services.
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defense to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
"My husband and I had a great experience with Virginia and her team. Members of the team are fluent in spanish- As a spanish speaking person I really appreciate how easy that made it to understand and follow the process even better. Anytime we had a question or concern they were very easy to reach and always made us feel very comfortable. 100% would recommend to work with them, you won’t regret it!"
- Maria Jose Meneses Meza
"I would recommend all my friends and family to Gorostiaga Law. Virginia is effortless at what she does and genuine lawyer who does things the right way from day one. Thank you for all your time you put on my case Virginia. Take care and hopefully I come back to seek for your legal advise soon."
- Rahin Ahmed
"Ms Gorostiaga is a conscientious dedicated judicious attorney. Ms Virginia Gorostiaga treats each of her clients with a level of respect and compassion that makes you feel valued and understood and lets you know that you will be treated with the utmost professionalism and dedication. I hope one day that Ms Gorostiaga will be more than my attorney, she will be a trusted faithful lifelong friend! I am trusting her with my life and my legacy"
- Edel Quinn
Gorostiaga Law specializes in immigration law, offering services such as family immigration, business immigration, naturalization, and civil litigation. Our dedicated team provides personalized support to navigate the complexities of the immigration process. We strive to ensure our clients achieve their legal goals efficiently and effectively.
You can schedule a consultation by visiting our website and filling out the contact form. Alternatively, you can call our office directly to speak with a member of our team. We are here to assist you in setting up a convenient appointment.
During your consultation, please bring relevant documents such as your passport, visa, and any immigration paperwork you have. This information will help us better understand your case and provide tailored advice. If applicable, bring any additional documentation related to your family or business immigration needs.
The duration of the immigration process varies based on the specific type of application and the current workload of immigration authorities. Our team will provide you with an estimated timeline during your consultation, considering your unique circumstances. We aim to keep you informed and updated throughout the entire process.
Yes, our team at Gorostiaga Law is multilingual and can assist clients in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Gujarati. We believe that clear communication is crucial for a successful legal experience. Our goal is to ensure that all clients feel comfortable and fully understand the legal process.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, business litigation typically refers to internal disputes—such as partnership disagreements or shareholder issues—whereas commercial litigation more often involves disputes with external parties, like vendors, customers, or competitors.
These can include breach of contract, partnership or shareholder disputes, fraud or misrepresentation, violations of non-compete agreements, unpaid invoices, vendor disputes, and intellectual property issues. If your business is involved in a legal conflict, we can help assess the issue and build a strategy that protects your interests.
Not necessarily. Many business and commercial disputes can be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or settlement without ever going to trial. However, if court becomes necessary, we are fully prepared to advocate for you at every stage of the litigation process.
Civil litigation is the legal process used to resolve non-criminal disputes between individuals, businesses, or organizations. It includes matters like property disputes, contract violations, personal injury, defamation, and landlord-tenant issues.
The process typically includes pleadings (filing a complaint or response), discovery (gathering evidence), potential pre-trial motions, settlement negotiations, and possibly a trial. Our firm guides clients through each step while keeping your rights and goals at the center of our strategy.
If you’ve experienced financial loss, property damage, a contract breach, or reputational harm, it may be worth pursuing legal action. We offer consultations to help you evaluate the merits of your case and your best path forward.
Commercial litigation involves legal disputes between businesses or between a business and an outside party, such as a vendor, client, or competitor. These disputes often involve contracts, financial transactions, intellectual property, or regulatory compliance.
Some common cases include:
Breach of sales or service contracts
Disputes over product delivery or quality
Franchise or licensing disagreements
Business-to-business fraud
Unfair competition and trade secret violations
Breach of warranty or negligence claims in commercial relationships