Cancellation of Removal is for LPRs who have been placed in removal proceedings. If you are in removal proceedings and are a green card holder, then this relief may be available to you. However, this is a defensive tactic that can only be filed in immigration court.
There are forms you have to fill out and submit to the court to notify the court that you seek such relief. If you committed certain crimes then you may be subject to removal proceedings. If you committed an aggravated felony, then you might not even qualify for Cancellation of Removal.
However, depending on the crime you committed, you can ask for something like a pardon, i.e., Cancellation of Removal. If you win your case and are granted Cancellation of Removal, then you will not be subject to removal and you can keep your LPR status.
Note that once you are granted this relief, you cannot seek it again. If you lose your case, you will be subject to deportation. Cancellation of Removal only applies to cases that started on or after April 1, 1997. If your court paper has charges against you before this date, then you may be in “deportation” proceedings, which is governed by a different law.
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