*Immigration detention can move fast and feel overwhelming. This page breaks down bond and detention in removal proceedings, what factors a judge may consider, and how legal representation can help protect your rights and pursue release.*

Immigration court is a specialized court system that handles cases related to immigration and deportation in the United States. It is a part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) which is an agency within the US Department of Justice.

The main function of the immigration court is to conduct removal proceedings to determine if individuals in the US can be deported. These proceedings are administrative in nature, meaning that they are not part of the criminal justice system. If a non-citizen is charged with a crime, they will have to go through the criminal court system first. If they are found guilty, they may also face immigration consequences such as deportation.

The immigration court system includes immigration judges who are responsible for making decisions in these cases. They have the authority to grant or deny requests for relief from deportation, such as asylum or cancellation of removal. They also have the power to order the removal of individuals who are found to be deportable.

If you are in removal proceedings, it is important to have a competent lawyer to represent you in immigration court. The government will always have a lawyer present. If the immigration judge decides that you are deportable and denies your request for relief, you can appeal the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The BIA is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws in the US. It is made up of 23 appellate immigration judges, including a Chief Appellate Immigration Judge and one or two Deputy Chief Appellate Immigration Judges.

The BIA reviews cases that are appealed from the immigration courts. It has the authority to either agree with the original decision, change it, or send it back for further consideration. Most BIA decisions can be appealed to the US Court of Appeals.