If you are facing deportation, you must appear before an immigration judge. The process begins with a Notice to Appear (NTA). An NTA is a document that tells you why the government wants to deport you. It also tells you where and when your court hearings will be held. That is when you need the help of a lawyer. The lawyer will evaluate your situation and decide if you can fight your deportation in court or if you have other options.

If you go to court, the lawyer will accompany you to your interview with the judge and pursue whatever relief is available to you. Depending on your case, you might have the following options when you appear in front of a judge:

• You can ask the judge for the green card or residency
• You can petition for alternative ways to stay, such as an asylum visa, withholding of removal, or protection under the convention against torture
• You might be able to stay under the temporary protection of TPS, DACA, or other types of visas. 

The benefits that can be requested in front of an immigration judge vary according to the situation of the immigrant.