Michigan Immigration Attorneys | Removal Defense, Asylum, Family Petitions

Who We Represent

Real people. Real consequences.

Immigration matters carry consequences that can follow a person for life — or change a family's future entirely. Here's who we serve.

Detained Individuals

Clients facing removal proceedings — bond hearings, full hearings, and emergency representation for those held by ICE.

Asylum Seekers

Individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

Families Seeking Reunification

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents petitioning for spouses, parents, children, and siblings to join them in the United States.

Engaged Couples

K-1 fiancé(e) visa applicants navigating the petition process, consular interview, and post-arrival adjustment of status.

Naturalization Applicants

Lawful permanent residents pursuing U.S. citizenship — including those with criminal history, prior denials, or other complications.

VAWA & Humanitarian Cases

Survivors of domestic violence pursuing self-petitions, U-visa applicants, and other humanitarian forms of relief.

Practice Depth

What we actually do.

Immigration law is broad. Here are the specific areas where we concentrate our practice.

01Removal Defense

Full hearing representation before the Detroit Immigration Court. Master calendar appearances, individual hearings, and preparation of all available forms of relief from removal.

02Bond Hearings

Custody redetermination hearings for detained clients. Preparation of bond memoranda, sponsor packages, and presentation of community ties and equities.

03Asylum & Withholding

Affirmative asylum applications before USCIS, defensive asylum in removal proceedings, withholding of removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection.

04Family-Based Petitions

I-130 petitions for immediate relatives and family preference categories, consular processing, adjustment of status, and removal of conditions on residency.

05K-1 Fiancé Visas

Complete K-1 process from initial petition through consular interview, entry, marriage, and adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.

06I-601A Provisional Waivers

Provisional unlawful presence waivers for spouses and children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents — extreme hardship documentation and presentation.

07Naturalization

N-400 applications for U.S. citizenship — including complex cases involving prior criminal history, immigration violations, or eligibility questions.

08VAWA & Employment Authorization

VAWA self-petitions for survivors of domestic violence, employment authorization document (EAD) applications and renewals, and travel documents.

Our Process

How working with us actually goes.

Immigration cases are complex and high-stakes. Here's exactly what to expect when you engage our firm.

Confidential Intake

You speak directly with an attorney — in English or Spanish. We listen, identify the relief options that may apply, and tell you honestly what your case looks like.

Strategy & Engagement

We provide a written engagement plan: forms of relief we'll pursue, evidence we'll need, fee structure, and the realistic timeline for your case.

Preparation & Filing

Documentary evidence, declarations, expert reports, country conditions research, and complete petition or court filing preparation — every detail prepared correctly.

Active Representation

Attorney appearances at every USCIS interview, EOIR hearing, or BIA proceeding. Clear communication. Direct attorney access throughout your case.

Our Immigration Team

Two attorneys. One mission.

Immigration cases require deep preparation and clear advocacy. Our team brings the courtroom experience, language capability, and case-handling rigor your situation requires.

Fahd S. Haque

Principal Attorney

Lead immigration attorney handling complex removal defense, asylum, and federal court matters. Admitted to the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, with active practice before the Detroit Immigration Court.

Bar P78252 · Licensed 2014 · EOIR · EDMI · WDMI

Anna Tarnogorska

Associate Attorney

Immigration associate handling family petitions, EAD applications, naturalization, and supporting removal defense matters. Detail-driven case preparation across the firm's immigration docket.

Licensed in Minnesota (2026)

Dora Díaz

Lead Paralegal

Lead paralegal for Spanish-speaking clients. Native Spanish speaker (Mexico). First point of contact for our Spanish-speaking clients across all immigration matters — from initial consultation through case completion.

Bilingual EN / ES

Cases we've handled. Outcomes we've earned.

A representative sample of recent immigration matters resolved by our firm. Client identifying details have been omitted to protect confidentiality.

Asylum granted before Detroit Immigration Court Senegalese national. Full asylum hearing with country conditions evidence and direct examination of the applicant.
K-1 fiancé visa approved in 6 months Venezuelan national. Complete K-1 petition preparation, consular interview support, and post-arrival adjustment of status filing. Approval timeline well below current USCIS averages.
Removal defense — full hearing victory before Detroit EOIR Successful presentation of available relief at individual hearing. Required extensive documentary preparation, witness testimony, and legal briefing on novel issues.
I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver approved Demonstrated extreme hardship to qualifying U.S. citizen relative. Comprehensive psychological evaluation, country conditions evidence, and family hardship documentation.
Naturalization completed for client with prior DUI N-400 approved despite prior criminal conviction. Required careful presentation of good moral character evidence, rehabilitation documentation, and statutory analysis of the underlying offense.

All matters described are real cases handled by Haque Legal, PLC. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases. Immigration outcomes depend heavily on individual facts, country conditions, and current law.

Common Questions

Michigan immigration, answered honestly.

The questions Michigan immigration clients ask most often. Direct answers, no legal evasion.

What happens at a Detroit immigration court hearing?

The Detroit Immigration Court holds two main types of hearings. Master calendar hearings are short scheduling and procedural appearances where the immigration judge sets the case schedule and addresses preliminary matters. Individual hearings (also called merits hearings) are the substantive hearings where evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and the judge decides whether the person can stay in the United States. Master hearings typically last 5–15 minutes; individual hearings can last several hours or be scheduled across multiple days.

Can I get bond if I'm in immigration detention?

Many but not all detained individuals are eligible for bond. ICE makes an initial bond determination, and if you disagree with that determination (or are denied bond), you can request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. The judge considers whether you are a flight risk and whether you pose a danger to the community. Strong community ties, family relationships, employment history, lack of criminal history, and a sponsor who can post the bond all support release. Some categories of individuals (those with certain criminal convictions, "arriving aliens," and others) face mandatory detention with no bond eligibility.

How long does asylum take in Michigan?

Affirmative asylum applications (filed with USCIS) currently face significant backlogs — typical processing time can exceed two years before an asylum officer interview. Defensive asylum (raised in immigration court proceedings) timelines depend on the immigration court's docket; the Detroit Immigration Court schedules individual hearings 12–24 months out in many cases. While the wait is long, asylum applicants are generally eligible to apply for employment authorization 150 days after filing the asylum application.

Can I become a citizen if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from naturalization, but it requires careful analysis. The naturalization statute requires "good moral character" during the statutory period (usually 5 years before filing, or 3 years for spouses of U.S. citizens). Some convictions create permanent or temporary bars; others are evaluated case-by-case. DUI convictions, theft offenses, and certain other crimes raise specific concerns. Before filing, an attorney should analyze your complete criminal history, the dates of conviction relative to the statutory period, and the specific elements of any offenses.

What's the difference between removal defense and deportation?

"Deportation" is the older term for what is now formally called "removal" — the process by which the government seeks to expel a non-citizen from the United States. "Removal defense" refers to the legal representation provided to a person facing removal proceedings before an immigration judge. The two terms describe the same general process; "removal" is the current legal term used in the Immigration and Nationality Act and immigration court.

How long does a K-1 fiancé visa take?

Current K-1 timelines vary based on USCIS processing times for the I-129F petition (typically 6–14 months) and consular processing in the foreign country (usually 2–4 months after USCIS approval). Total time from petition filing to fiancé arrival is commonly 8–18 months, though we have completed K-1 cases more quickly with careful preparation. After arrival, the couple has 90 days to marry and then files for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.

Should I file for asylum on my own or hire an attorney?

Asylum is one of the most complex areas of immigration law and one of the most consequential — a denial in defensive asylum proceedings often results in removal. The asylum application requires precise legal articulation of the nexus between past or feared persecution and a protected ground, supported by documentary evidence, expert testimony, and country conditions. Statistics consistently show that represented asylum applicants succeed at significantly higher rates than unrepresented applicants. We strongly recommend representation for any asylum case.

What is a Notice to Appear (NTA)?

The Notice to Appear is the document that initiates removal proceedings. It identifies you as the respondent, lists the factual allegations against you (your country of origin, immigration history, and basis for removability), and cites the specific provisions of immigration law the government claims you violated. The NTA also notifies you of the date, time, and location of your first immigration court hearing. Receiving an NTA is a serious matter that requires immediate legal consultation.

Do you handle cases in Spanish?

Yes. Our firm provides bilingual representation in English and Spanish across all immigration matters. Dora Díaz, our lead paralegal for Spanish-speaking clients, is a native Spanish speaker from Mexico and serves as the primary point of contact for our Spanish-speaking clients from initial consultation through case completion. José Vega, our Director of Intake, is also a native Spanish speaker.

Michigan immigration counsel — Detroit EOIR & beyond.