# Immigration court Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/immigration/court-hearings/ How to prepare for an immigration court hearing and what happens there. This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice. Immigration court decides whether a person who is not a US citizen can stay. A case begins when DHS (the Department of Homeland Security) files a Notice to Appear (NTA, form I-862) with the court. The courts belong to EOIR at the Department of Justice and have nothing to do with USCIS. Usually there is first a short hearing where you answer the charges, then a full one where the judge hears your request, asylum for example. Go to every one: without you, the judge can order you removed. ## Start here - Ask for a free interpreter at least 30 days before the hearing. - Check the date and court online with your A-Number, but go by the notice the court sends. - The government does not pay for a lawyer: look for free help early and check anyone you plan to pay. ## Before the hearing: what to do, in order The earlier, the better. 1. Ask for an interpreter If your English is limited, the court gives you an interpreter for free. Ask at least 30 days before the hearing. 2. Read your Notice to Appear (NTA) In the NTA, DHS lists the allegations (what it believes is true about you) and the charges (the grounds for removal). The first hearing date may be in the NTA; if not, the court will send a Notice of Hearing. At the hearing the judge will ask whether the allegations are true and whether you accept the charges, so check every line and mark mistakes. 3. Confirm the date, time and court Check your case in [Automated Case Information on the EOIR website](https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/) with your A-Number. A new date appears only once the court sets it; the hearing notice is what counts. 4. Find a lawyer early You have the right to bring a lawyer or other representative, at your own cost. EOIR's list shows free organizations for your court. Check the license before you pay. 5. Gather evidence If you are asking for asylum, you will need evidence at the individual hearing: medical records, police reports, sworn statements (affidavits), witnesses. Start gathering them now. 6. Keep your address current If you move, give the court your new address on form EOIR-33/IC within 5 days, or notices will go to the old one. 7. Prepare for the day There is screening at the entrance: a metal detector, bag checks, sometimes shoes off. No food or drinks, and no photos or recording in the courtroom. Hearings are open to the public, with limited exceptions. Courts are open on weekdays except federal holidays; come early. ## The two kinds of hearings First a short one, then a full one. Two hearings in immigration court | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ## Your rights in court The judge must explain these rights to you at the first hearing. - A lawyer or other representative Any status You may come with an attorney or another authorized representative, but the government does not pay for one. - Present your evidence Any status You can show the court your evidence, object to the other side's evidence, and question DHS witnesses, including asking them follow-up questions (cross-examination). - Name the country of removal Any status You may name the country to which you would be removed if the judge so orders, and a lawyer can help you choose with your safety in mind. - Appeal the decision Any status If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) within 30 days. ## The three immigration courts in New York City Your court is on your notice and in Automated Case Information. All three are open on weekdays except federal holidays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Papers are filed at the filing window; faxes and electronic filings only if the court asked for them. - New York - Broadway Immigration Court Any status Free Ted Weiss Federal Building; filing window 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Court email: NYBroadway.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov. Requests about the asylum clock, which counts time toward a work permit, go to Asylum.Clock.New.York.Broadway@usdoj.gov with your name, A-Number and reason. That address takes only these requests. [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/new-york-broadway-immigration-court) Ted Weiss Federal Building, 290 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10007 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except federal holidays - New York - Federal Plaza Immigration Court Any status Free Enter from Broadway, between Duane and Worth. Filing window 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Court email: NYFederalPlaza.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov. Asylum clock requests: asylum.clock.new.york.federal.plaza@usdoj.gov (name, A-Number, reason). [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/new-york-federal-plaza-immigration-court) 26 Federal Plaza, 12th Floor, Room 1237, New York, NY 10278 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except federal holidays - New York - Varick Immigration Court Any status Free Filing window 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Court email: NYVarick.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov. Asylum clock requests: Asylum.Clock.Varick.Street@usdoj.gov (name, A-Number, reason). [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/new-york-varick-immigration-court) 201 Varick Street, 5th Floor, Room 507, New York, NY 10014 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., except federal holidays ## Free help if you have no lawyer - Self-Help Legal Centers (EOIR) Any status Free Centers inside immigration court buildings: general information about cases and the court, and forms, including change of address and fee waivers. No legal advice. [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/self-help-materials) - Immigration Court Online Resource (ICOR) Any status Free EOIR's website: what happens at hearings, how to prepare, contact the court, check your case, find a representative and appeal. It is in English; there is no Russian version. [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-online-resource) - Free lawyers at your court Any status Free EOIR publishes a list every quarter of organizations and attorneys who take cases for free at each immigration court. Find your court and contact them as early as you can. [justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers) ## After the judge decides If the judge rules against you. 1. Tell the judge right away that you will appeal If you disagree with the decision, tell the judge at the hearing, then file an appeal with the BIA. 2. File Form EOIR-26 on time Form EOIR-26 must reach the BIA no later than 30 calendar days after an oral decision or after the written decision was mailed. If it is filed later, the decision becomes final. 3. Pay the fee or ask for a waiver The appeal fee is $1,060, and you can ask for a waiver on Form EOIR-26A. Payment goes only through the EOIR Payment Portal, because since February 23, 2026 checks and money orders are not accepted. 4. If you are detained, ask for a bond hearing In some cases the judge can release a detained person on bond and sets the amount. You can ask for a bond hearing in writing or out loud in court; a lawyer can help. ## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: - ****: [All pages: Immigration and asylum](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/immigration/) **Sources, checked November 2026** - [acis.eoir.justice.gov/en](https://acis.eoir.justice.gov/en/) - [justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers) - [justice.gov/eoir/self-help-materials](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/self-help-materials) - [justice.gov/eoir/new-york-broadway-immigration-court](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/new-york-broadway-immigration-court) - [justice.gov/eoir/new-york-federal-plaza-immigration-court](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/new-york-federal-plaza-immigration-court) - [justice.gov/eoir/new-york-varick-immigration-court](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/new-york-varick-immigration-court) - [justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-online-resource](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-online-resource)