Tips for your first immigration court hearing

Your first hearing in immigration court is called a master calendar hearing. Here are things to know.

1. Check your court date every week. 

We have heard many reports of court dates being suddenly rescheduled without notice. Check your hearing date every week by calling 1-800-898-7180 or visiting the immigration court website. The system should tell you the time of your hearing, the location, and whether it is in-person or online. If you miss your hearing, the judge will likely give you a deportation order. 

2. Arrive at least one and a half hours early. 

If your hearing is in person, it may take a very long time to go through security to enter the courthouse, and then find your correct courtroom. In some cases, the government has started scheduling many people for hearings at the same time, so the hallways can be very crowded. If you arrive late, you could be marked absent and given a deportation order.

3. Bring important documents with you.

• If you have your Notice to Appear and hearing notice, bring them to the hearing.

• If you already applied for immigration status with USCIS, bring the receipt notices. 

• If you are planning to submit an asylum application, bring the original and 2 copies of the application.

• If you have been in the U.S. for at least 2 years, bring proof such as documents showing the date you entered, work pay stubs, apartment lease agreements, or school or medical records.

4. You may need to bring your children. 

If your Notice to Appear or hearing notice list your children’s names, you are supposed to bring them with you to your first master calendar hearing. But at the hearing, you can ask the judge if you need to keep bringing them to future hearings. 

5. Listen for instructions and take notes. 

Bring paper and a pen to take notes of important information, such as deadlines, that the judge or other court staff tell you. They may call the names and case numbers of many people at the same time for a large group hearing, so make sure to stay near or in the courtroom and pay close attention. If you are not there when they call you, you could receive a deportation order. 

6. You have the right to apply for asylum. 

If you are afraid to return to your country of origin, you can say so. Some judges or government lawyers may try to tell you that you should not apply for asylum. However, you have the right to apply for asylum if you qualify, and you can tell the judge you plan to apply. If you say you have NO plans to apply for anything, the judge may end your case and give you a deportation order. 

7. You can prepare answers to common questions. 

• Do you want to change your court location? If you have moved far away, the judge may ask you if you want to change your court. Read about what to consider. 

• Do you agree with the information on your Notice to Appear? A judge could ask you this question out loud, or court staff may ask you to complete a document called a “pleadings declaration." Answering questions about your Notice to Appear can affect your case. 

• Do you want more time to find a lawyer or gather evidence? More time can help you prepare a stronger case. But if you already applied for asylum, asking for more time may delay your first work permit. 

8. You can ask your own questions. 

If the judge is present, the hearing is an opportunity to ask them questions or make requests. If you do not understand something, you can ask the judge to explain. Here are some examples: 

• "I need an interpreter in my language" — you have the right to one

• "Can I attend future hearings online?"

• “Do I need to bring my children to a future hearing?”

• "Can I have more time to find a lawyer?" (Note: this may delay your first work permit if you have already applied for asylum)

Learn more about immigration court.