What are "removal proceedings"?

Removal proceedings refer to a legal process that is initiated to determine an individual's immigration status, specifically when the government seeks to remove a non-citizen from the United States. This process is crucial because it allows for an evaluation of whether the individual is in the country legally or is subject to removal due to violations of immigration laws, such as overstaying a visa or having a criminal record.

In removal proceedings, various matters are examined, including the reasons for the removal, potential defenses the individual may have against removal, and possible forms of relief that may be available, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. The proceedings typically occur in front of an immigration judge, and the decisions made can profoundly impact the individual's future in the U.S.

This process is distinctly different from citizenship grants, visa applications, or travel formalities, which serve entirely different purposes in the immigration system.