{"id":4433,"date":"2026-11-08T05:35:53","date_gmt":"2026-11-08T05:35:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abogadaadrianagomez.com\/resources\/removal-defense\/adjustment-of-status-removal-proceedings-houston\/"},"modified":"2026-11-10T05:50:56","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T05:50:56","slug":"adjustment-of-status-removal-proceedings-houston","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/abogadaadrianagomez.com\/resources\/removal-defense\/adjustment-of-status-removal-proceedings-houston\/","title":{"rendered":"Adjustment of Status in Removal Proceedings Houston"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Immigration Law | Houston, Texas<\/p>

Adjustment of Status While Your Removal Case Is Pending<\/h1>

AG Immigration Law P.A. focuses on removal defense and adjustment of status for immigrants in Houston and across Texas. Contact our office to talk through your situation with Adriana Gomez.<\/p>

Contact Our Office<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By Adriana Gomez \u00b7 Published November 8, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Yes, in many cases a person in removal proceedings can ask the immigration judge to decide an application for adjustment of status, which is a request for a green card. Federal rules give the judge hearing the case exclusive authority over that application for most people placed in removal proceedings. This page explains how adjustment of status in removal proceedings works in Houston, what the judge reviews, and what can happen next.<\/p>\n

What Adjustment of Status Means When You Are in Removal Proceedings<\/h2>\n

Adjustment of status lets an eligible person become a lawful permanent resident, or green card holder, without leaving the United States. Federal law sets the rules. Under the federal adjustment statute<\/a>, the applicant must file an application, be eligible for an immigrant visa, be admissible, and have a visa immediately available when filing.<\/p>\n

If you have a Notice to Appear, the document that starts removal proceedings, you may wonder whether you can still apply. Often you can. The application is then decided in your removal case, not only by USCIS. That is the main difference.<\/p>\n

This page is for people served with a Notice to Appear. It is also for family members who are researching this on someone else’s behalf.<\/p>\n\n

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A Notice to Appear can feel urgent, especially when you're handling it for someone you love. Our team can talk through your case and options; contact us or book a paid consultation. Talk it through with our team — we can walk you through how a situation like yours is usually handled and what your options are.<\/p>

Schedule a consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Can You File Form I-485 in Houston Immigration Court?<\/h2>\n

Generally, yes, if your case is pending in immigration court and you are not an arriving alien. The federal filing rule<\/a> says the immigration judge hearing the proceeding has exclusive jurisdiction to decide any adjustment application you may file.<\/p>\n

The practical question is simple. Is your case pending before the Houston Immigration Court? Applications made in removal proceedings must also meet the removal-court application rules<\/a> and related parts of the regulations.<\/p>\n

If your case moved to another court, or has already ended, the filing path can change. The right path depends on the facts of your case.<\/p>\n

Who May Be Eligible and What the Judge Reviews<\/h2>\n

Eligibility turns on how you were admitted, your current status, and the basis for your application. Under the rule on who may apply<\/a>, a person physically present in the United States may apply, except for a person ineligible under paragraph (b) or (c) of that rule, if they are eligible to receive an immigrant visa and an immigrant visa is immediately available at the time they file. Some people are barred, so the rules must be checked case by case.<\/p>\n

The statute also blocks some applicants.<\/p>\n