Calhoun,
I work for ICE so can answer your questions. Most illegals are picked up as a result of their being locked up someplace and the locals calling and saying they believe they have someone illegal. It does not matter what the crime is - it can be speeding but is eight times out of ten, DWI or domestic violence. Once in ICE custody the alien is placed in removal proceedings. They can request to be returned to their home country without seeing an immigration judge, but most go before a judge. Some illegals have overstayed visas, but the ones from Mexico and other south/central American countries have normally crossed border illegally. If they have lived in this country for ten years and have a United States Citizen wife or children they can ask for a cancellation of removal hearing if they believe their removal would create an exceptional or extremely unusual hardship. They are also free to claim fear of return and ask for asylum, but they have to prove past persecution or a well founded fear of future persecution or torture. A normal removal hearing for a typical illegal alien last about 15 minutes including all his rights warnings. In the office I work for we remove about 35,000 a year.
