A Notice to Appear, or NTA, is the charging document that begins removal (deportation) proceedings against a noncitizen. Receiving one is serious, but it does not mean you will be deported. It means you have been summoned to immigration court, and what you do in the next few weeks matters a great deal.
What the NTA Actually Says
An NTA typically lists four things:
- Your alleged immigration status
- The factual allegations the government is making against you (for example, “You entered the United States without inspection on or about [date]”)
- The legal charges of removability
- A court date, time, and location — or a notation that these will be set later
Do not assume the factual allegations are correct. NTAs often contain mistakes about dates of entry, status, or criminal history. Any admission you make at your first hearing is difficult to walk back.
Which Court Will Hear Your Case?
Residents of Oregon generally appear at the Portland Immigration Court. Residents of Washington appear at the Seattle Immigration Court or, for detained cases, the Tacoma Immigration Court at the Northwest ICE Processing Center. These courts are part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) — they are administrative, not part of the federal judiciary.
Your First 30 Days
- Write down every interaction with ICE. Dates, names, badge numbers, what was said and what documents you signed.
- Do not miss your hearing. Failure to appear typically results in an in-absentia removal order, which is hard to reopen.
- Update your address using Form EOIR-33 with the immigration court whenever you move. This is separate from the USCIS change-of-address form.
- Gather documents. Passport, entry records, tax returns, pay stubs, proof of relationships, medical records, country-conditions evidence — your attorney will tell you what matters for your specific case.
- Consult an immigration attorney promptly. Removal defense is time-sensitive and the available forms of relief depend on your history.
Possible Forms of Relief
Depending on your situation, an experienced attorney may identify relief such as:
- Cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents or nonpermanent residents
- Asylum, withholding of removal, or relief under the Convention Against Torture
- Adjustment of status through a U.S. citizen family member
- Waivers under Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
- Voluntary departure (in some cases preserving future options)
Do Not Ignore the NTA
The most damaging thing you can do is hope the case goes away. It will not. If you have received an NTA in Oregon or Washington, our removal defense team can evaluate your options and represent you in immigration court.
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