Peter Messersmith
Senior Immigration Attorney
Peter Messersmith is the Senior Immigration Attorney at The Messersmith Law Firm, P.A. His practice is limited to U.S. immigration law. He has practiced law continuously since 2002 and reviews substantive legal content published on INA237.com.
Charge Specific Removal Analysis
INA237.com is organized around a central principle: a removal case should be analyzed from the government's actual allegations and statutory charge rather than from a broad label such as “deportation case.”
The burden of proof, available defenses, possible relief, evidence, and procedure can change according to the respondent's immigration history and the legal ground DHS has selected.
Mr. Messersmith reviews substantive INA237.com guides for consistency with the Immigration and Nationality Act, federal regulations, EOIR procedure, agency guidance, and relevant immigration authority. The site's authority guides identify primary legal sources so that readers can verify important legal rules.
Immigration Practice Since 2002
U.S. Immigration Law
Mr. Messersmith has practiced law continuously since 2002. His legal practice is limited to U.S. immigration law.
Illinois Law License
He has held an unrestricted Illinois law license since November 2002.
University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor's degree, 1999.
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Law degree, 2002.
Scope of the Site
INA237.com focuses on removal problems arising before and after DHS begins immigration court proceedings. The site covers Notices to Appear, possible NTA issuance after immigration decisions, grounds of deportability under INA §237, immigration court procedure, defenses to removability, and relief or protection that may be available in court.
Additional subject areas include removal cases involving lawful permanent residents, criminal records, alleged fraud, status violations, detention and bond, Board of Immigration Appeals practice, motions to reopen, and the consequences of immigration court orders.
These issues are highly fact specific. General legal information cannot determine the result of an individual case without reviewing the actual charging document, immigration history, agency decisions, court records, and other relevant evidence.
Immigration Representation Nationwide
The Messersmith Law Firm represents clients in U.S. immigration matters. Immigration law is federal, and the firm works with immigration clients nationwide and outside the United States where appropriate.
Whether representation is available in an individual immigration court matter depends on the facts, hearing schedule, procedural posture, and requested scope of representation.
Request an Immigration Consultation
If you have an NTA or another government document involving possible removal proceedings, keep a complete copy available for review.