top of page

Stage 1: Getting Started

Your Immigration Court Hearing

How can I find when my next court hearing date is?

There are three ways that you can learn when your hearing date is.

​

  1. If you have just arrived in the U.S. and have not attended a hearing before, you can refer to Notice to Appear (NTA) to find out your date. We also recommend following Step #3, to double-check your court date as it is subject to change.

  2. You can visit the EOIR Portal by going to https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/ and entering your A number. The website will then show you when and where your next hearing date is (see image below).

  3. You can also call the EOIR Automated Hotline at 1-800-898-7180. Please refer to this document, created by Pro Se Plus Partner NYLAG, for more detailed instructions.​​

Screenshot 2024-08-27 at 6.56.49 PM.png

If you have already attended your first master calendar hearing, you can visit the EOIR Portal (#2) or call the EOIR Automated Hotline (#3) to find out the date of your next hearing. You will also receive a letter at the address the court has on file for you that notifies you of your next date as well.

It is important to get into the habit of checking the EOIR Portal once a week. Your immigration court may change the date of your next hearing. If the immigration court does so, it will notify you by mail. Because of the risk that you might not receive this letter, it is important to keep checking the information in the portal. Again, missing your court date will lead to a deportation “in absentia” order.

What is going to happen at my first immigration court hearing?

Your first hearing with the Immigration Judge will be a master calendar hearing. During this time, the judge will ask you a number of administrative questions, such as

​

  • whether or not you still live at the address that the court has on file, 

  • whether you have a lawyer, 

  • whether or not you are ready to defend your case, and

  • how you plan to defend your case (i.e. what form of legal protection will you use to defend yourself?). 
     

Screenshot 2024-08-27 at 7.03.46 PM.png

This master calendar hearing is different from your individual merits hearing, which is when you defend your request to stay in the United States to the judge. There is no set amount of time that a person must wait until their individual merits hearing is scheduled. Some people wait a few months, others 1 to 2 years, while others may wait much longer. 


While waiting for the individual merits hearing to be scheduled, you may have several master calendar hearings to allow you to find a lawyer, file for asylum, or another type of protection from deportation. If you do not apply for any type of legal status or protection from deportation, the judge will likely order you deported.

Stage 1 Questions

​Overview

  • What is the immigration process?

  • What are the different agencies that are involved in the immigration process?

​

Your Documents

  • I've received several documents at the border, but I do not understand what they are.

  • I've just arrived and I'm overwhelmed by all of this information. What should I focus on first?

​

Your Immigration Court Hearing

  • How can I find when my next hearing date is?

  • What's going to happen at my first immigration court hearing?

​Checking in with ICE

  • What is ICE and why do I also have to check in with them?

  • How do I schedule and check in for my appointments with ICE?

​

Moving During the Immigration Process

  • What happens if I move while I'm waiting for my individual merits hearing?

  • How do I change my address?

  • How do I file a change of venue?

bottom of page