What does "removal proceedings" aim to establish?

Removal proceedings are a critical legal process within the immigration system that focuses specifically on determining whether an individual can be legally removed from the United States. During these proceedings, the government seeks to assess various factors, including the individual's immigration status, any applicable defenses against removal, and compliance with immigration laws. The primary goal is to evaluate whether the individual has violated immigration laws that would justify their removal or if they have valid claims or applications that allow them to remain in the country.

This process contrasts with other immigration matters such as naturalization, which involves granting citizenship status, or assessing the legal status of individuals arriving on student visas, which is more about entry and compliance during the visa period. Removal proceedings do not address the rights of citizens directly, as these proceedings pertain specifically to non-citizens whose legal status in the U.S. is under question. Thus, the aim of removal proceedings is clearly focused on the potential legal removal of an individual from the country.