What does the term "removal proceedings" refer to?

The term "removal proceedings" specifically refers to the legal processes that are conducted to determine whether an individual can be removed from the United States. These proceedings occur within the framework of immigration law and involve various hearings where evidence and arguments are presented regarding an individual's immigration status and the reasons for their potential removal.

In these proceedings, an immigration judge evaluates the case, which may involve claims for relief from removal (such as asylum or cancellation of removal) or simply determining if the individual is in violation of U.S. immigration laws. The outcome can lead to either the continuation of the individual's stay in the U.S. or their removal from the country.

This understanding distinguishes removal proceedings from other immigration-related processes, such as those for granting U.S. citizenship, issuing work permits, or applications for temporary residency, which are aimed at providing status or benefits rather than determining whether someone should be expelled from the country.