Immigration detention looks different depending on how long the detained individual has lived in the U.S., whether he or she was detained near or far from the border, and whether the person has a legitimate claim of asylum or some other form of legal relief.
Some individuals are not entitled to a hearing with an immigration judge following detention, and their removal may be “expedited,” meaning they would be sent to their home country quicker than normal. Many others may be formally detained, sent to a detention center, and forced to go through a lengthier deportation (removal) process.
If the person is not removed immediately, the federal government might decide to launch a formal case against him or her. He or she could be sent to a detention center and served with a charging document called a Notice to Appear, or NTA. This is an official document that lists the alleged laws that were violated.