Stage 1: Getting Started
Moving During the Immigration Process
What happens if I move while I’m waiting for my individual merits hearing?
If you have moved, it is required to notify each agency that is involved in the immigration process within five days of your move. This may mean that you must file three separate address changes. If you are moving out of state, you will also have to change your immigration court by filing a change of venue.
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Please note that, if it appears that you currently reside at an address that is far away from your current immigration court at the time of your master calendar hearing, the immigration judge may transfer your case to a closer court during your court appearance.
How do I change my address?
You can follow the below QR codes to change your address with immigration court, ICE, and USCIS, respectively. Remember that these changes must be done within five days of your move.
For a more detailed explanation of how to change your address, you can watch this video by Pro Se Plus Partner NYLAG on how to change your address with your immigration court, ICE, and USCIS.
How do I file a change of venue?
If you move outside of the state in which your court is located or even in the same state, but far away from the court, you will need to submit a request (known in legal terms as a “motion”) for a “change of venue”. This document is the template that PSPP partners use to submit changes of venue for community members.
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If you do not have an attorney to file this for you, you will need to fill it out and send it to the judge at your current court (here is a sample). You will also need to submit an accompanying change of address (submitted within five days of moving). Your current immigration judge will then decide whether or not to grant your request.
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EOIR, the government agency that oversees the immigration courts, provides these self-help resources for people who need to submit a request for a change of venue. You can also refer to this guide created by PSPP partner UnLocal for more details.
Stage 1 Questions
​Overview
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What is the immigration process?
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What are the different agencies that are involved in the immigration process?
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I've received several documents at the border, but I do not understand what they are.
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I've just arrived and I'm overwhelmed by all of this information. What should I focus on first?
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Your Immigration Court Hearing
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How can I find when my next hearing date is?
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What's going to happen at my first immigration court hearing?
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What is ICE and why do I also have to check in with them?
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How do I schedule and check in for my appointments with ICE?
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Moving During the Immigration Process
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What happens if I move while I'm waiting for my individual merits hearing?
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How do I change my address?
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How do I file a change of venue?