Deportation Defense for Charleston-Area Families

Removal proceedings move quickly, but you do not have to face them alone. We step in right away, explain exactly where your case stands, and build a defense around your story.

(843) 517-6886 Schedule a Consultation

Bilingual representation, English & Spanish
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Federal court background

About the Firm

Deportation Defense Guided by Experience and Understanding

Marcia A. Alvarez Benavidez, Esq. is a bilingual immigration attorney born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Having navigated the immigration process herself, she brings a rare combination of personal insight and legal expertise to every removal case she handles.

She brings experience in federal court to her immigration practice. In deportation defense, where deadlines are short and procedure often decides outcomes, that experience matters.

She represents individuals and families in immigration court in both English and Spanish, from bond hearings through appeals. While based in Goose Creek, South Carolina, and serving the greater Charleston area, including Summerville, Moncks Corner, Hanahan, and Ladson, immigration is federal law. That means Marcia A. Alvarez Benavidez, Esq. is able to represent clients anywhere in the United States and its territories.

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Licensed to practice law in the State of California

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Marcia A. Alvarez Benavidez, Esq., Immigration Attorney

Deportation Defense

How We Defend Your Case

Representation at every stage of removal proceedings, for clients in the greater Charleston area and all U.S. states and territories.

Bond Hearings

When a loved one is detained, release is usually the most urgent priority. We prepare and present a bond request to the immigration judge, gathering the evidence of community ties, family support, and good moral character that shows you are neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. If bond is denied or set too high, we look at every avenue for review.

Cancellation of Removal

Cancellation of removal can allow you to remain in the United States permanently despite proceedings against you. We assess whether you meet the requirements for continuous physical presence, good moral character, and the hardship standard that applies to your case. From there we build the documentary record, from tax and medical records to declarations from family, that immigration judges expect to see.

Motions to Reopen or Reconsider

A closed case is not always the end of the road. If new evidence has emerged, your circumstances have changed, or you were ordered removed without ever having a real chance to be heard, a motion to reopen or reconsider may put your case back before the court. We move quickly, because these motions carry strict deadlines and demand a precise legal argument.

Appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)

If an immigration judge has ruled against you, you generally have only 30 days to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. We review the record and hearing transcript for legal and factual errors, then prepare the written brief that frames those errors for the Board. Where appropriate, we also advise on further review in the federal courts of appeals.

Our Process

From First Call to Case Resolution

Removal proceedings can feel overwhelming, especially when a hearing date is already set. Our process is designed to bring order to your case, keep you informed, and give you confidence at every stage.

Consultation

We start with a confidential consultation to learn your story, review your Notice to Appear and any court notices, and assess your options and deadlines. No pressure. Just clarity about where your case stands.

Strategy

Every removal case is different. We develop a defense strategy tailored to your history, your family circumstances, and your hearing calendar, whether that means bond, cancellation of removal, a motion, or an appeal.

Action

We prepare and file all pleadings and supporting evidence, communicate with the immigration court, ICE, and USCIS on your behalf, and appear with you to advocate at every hearing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Many people in immigration detention are eligible to ask a judge for release on bond, but certain criminal convictions and forms of mandatory detention can bar eligibility. The answer depends on your immigration history, your criminal record if any, and how you were taken into custody. We review those details and tell you honestly whether a bond request is available and how strong it is.

Immediately. Immigration court deadlines are short and unforgiving: appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals are generally due within 30 days, and many motions and applications must be filed well before your next hearing. The sooner we are involved, the more defenses remain available to you.

The judge decides whether you can be released from detention while your case continues, and if so, how much bond you must pay. We present evidence that you will appear at all future hearings and are not a danger to the community, such as proof of family ties, stable residence, employment, and community support. The government attorney may argue against release, and the judge then rules, often at the end of the hearing.

Yes. An immigration judge's removal order can usually be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals, generally within 30 days of the decision. In some circumstances a motion to reopen or reconsider is the better path, and adverse BIA decisions can sometimes be challenged in the federal courts of appeals. Because the deadlines are strict, it is critical to have the decision reviewed right away.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

We provide immigration representation across all 50 states and worldwide. Consultations outside regular office hours are available by appointment to accommodate your schedule, because we understand that life does not always happen between 9 and 5.

Every immigration journey begins with a conversation. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation with Attorney Alvarez Benavidez.