How Do I Know If I have an Immigration Court Date?
How Do I Know If I have an Immigration Court Date?
Credit: United States Department of Justice
If you are in removal proceedings or have reason to suspect you are in deportation proceedings, it is important to know your court date and attend all scheduled court hearings.
Removal proceedings do not just go away. While appearing before an immigration court judge might be intimidating, it is also an opportunity to apply for immigration relief, including asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and more.
If you are in removal proceedings in Texas, including Houston, Huntsville, Conroe, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, Stafford, and surrounding areas. It is important to consult an experienced immigration and removal defense attorney immediately.
Will the Immigration Court let me Know I am in Removal Proceedings?
Generally, the Department of Homeland Security or DHS will serve an individual in removal proceedings with a Form I-862 also referred to a Notice to Appear or an NTA. The Notice to Appear will contain the following:
The full name of the individual in removal proceedings (referred to as the respondent);
The alien number or the A number of the individual in deportation proceedings;
The government's allegations or the reasons the government believes the individual should be removed from the United States; and
The law or statute under which the person can be removed.
A sample Notice To Appear can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice website.
Does the Notice to Appear (NTA) Contain My Court Date?
The Notice to Appear will contain the date the respondent was served with the document; however, it will not contain actual date he or she must appear before an immigration judge.
An individual will also be served with a Notice of Hearing in Removal Proceedings. The hearing notice will contain the following information:
The full name of the respondent;
The alien number or A number of the respondent;
The date and time the respondent must appear before the immigration judge;
The full address of the immigration court before which the respondent must appear.
Generally, the removal hearing will be held at the immigration court in the city (or closest) city to the residence DHS has on file; however, the location of the removal hearing may be inconvenient for various reasons (i.e. relocation, incorrect address on file, etc.).
The respondent or the respondent's counsel must make a formal request to change the court location also called a motion to change venue. The immigration court judge must first approve the motion to change venue before the court location is changed.
Can I Call About My Court Date?
Immigration court hearing dates can change for various reasons, including the caseload of the local immigration court, respondent's request for a continuance, and more. As result, it is important to periodically confirm your hearing date.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review or EOIR has an automated phone system, which allows a respondent to confirm his or her hearing date, 24/7.
To confirm a hearing date by phone, call 1-800-898-7180 complete the following steps:
Press 1 for instructions in English or 2 for instructions in Spanish.
Press the nine digit a number or alien number.
Confirm the alien number inserted is correct and press 1 to accept.
Confirm the alien number matches the respondent's name and press 1 to accept.
Next, the individual may confirm his or her hearing date, identify any applications filed before the immigration court on your behalf, and hear certain appeal information.
What Do I Do If I Still Need More Information About My Immigration Court Hearing?
Knowing your immigration court date is only half the battle. It is important to consult an experienced immigration attorney regarding your case.
The relief available in deportation court depends greatly on the specific facts about you and your case, including country of birth or citizenship, manner of entry into the United States, marital status, and more.
Houston Immigration Attorney
Tatiauna Holland of the Holland Law Firm, PLLC is an experienced immigration attorney, who skillfully defends individuals facing deportation. She has years of experience assisting individuals apply for various forms of immigration relief, including adjustment of status (green card), asylum, naturalization and citizenship, and more.
With offices in Houston and Conroe, the Holland Law Firm, PLLC is prepared to handle your immigration needs throughout Texas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and surrounding areas.
If you or your loved one is in removal proceedings or have concerns about your immigration status, contact the Holland Law Firm, PLLC at (832) 328-7877 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Related Blogs and Articles:
Worried About ICE Raids in Houston, February 2017
You Can't Just Get Deported. Learn the Truth About Removal Proceedings, September 2016
Due Process in Removal Proceedings, October 2016
