You just got a letter that says you must appear in immigration court, and the government is charging that you can be removed from the United States. That is the start of removal proceedings: the formal court process the federal government uses to decide whether a non-citizen must leave the country or may stay through a defense or form of relief. The case usually begins with a Notice to Appear filed by the Department of Homeland Security and is decided by an immigration judge within the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR.

This process is serious because missing a hearing can lead to an order of removal without your side being heard. Bad advice is common. Some people are told to ignore the notice, sign papers they do not understand, or pay a notario who is not a licensed lawyer. Those shortcuts can wreck a case. Depending on the facts, a person in proceedings may be able to seek asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, voluntary departure, or other relief.

Removal proceedings can also affect everyday legal matters, including an injury claim. A pending case may make someone afraid to report a crash, attend treatment, or appear for a deposition, and that fear can be used against them. But being in proceedings does not erase the right to pursue compensation. In Rhode Island, immigration cases are controlled by federal law, not a separate state removal statute, so deadlines and hearing notices from the immigration court must be taken seriously.