Overview:
This step-by-step information from Documented explains how immigrants can request a distant court docket listening to in the event that they worry showing in particular person attributable to ICE presence. It contains directions for submitting a movement, who to contact, and what particulars to incorporate.
This text was initially printed by Documented, an impartial, non-profit newsroom devoted to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York Metropolis. The unique article might be accessed here.
What to find out about attending your immigration court docket listening to on-line:
- You could possibly attend your immigration listening to remotely by telephone or video, however you want to act quick.
- You’ll must know your A-number and the court docket location dealing with your case.
- To request a distant listening to, submit a written movement to the court docket earlier than your listening to date, that explains your the reason why you possibly can’t attend in-person — like worry of ICE presence.
- Verify all the things forward of time by calling the court docket. If accredited, they’ll provide the telephone quantity or video hyperlink so that you don’t miss your listening to.
We’ve been listening to from many group members who’re scared to attend their immigration court docket hearings in particular person due to the ICE raids taking place exterior courthouses. In case you’re frightened about this, know that you simply could possibly attend your court docket listening to on-line, by telephone or video, as a substitute of moving into particular person.
Right here’s a step-by-step information on how you are able to do it and nonetheless be sure your case stays on observe.
This info isn’t an alternative choice to authorized recommendation from a certified legal professional or accredited consultant. The content material was final up to date July 2025.
Test for those who’re eligible for a distant listening to
Not all immigration judges enable distant appearances, however many do.
Take a look at your listening to discover (Type I-862), or go to the Govt Workplace for Immigration Assessment (EOIR) website to check your case. Immigration court docket hearings can generally happen on-line, somewhat than in particular person. An “internet-based” listening to standing signifies your listening to will probably be on-line.
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In case you are not sure whether or not your listening to will probably be held in particular person or on-line, contact the immigration court docket dealing with your case. Here’s a list of all the immigration courts across the U.S., decide names, contact numbers and hyperlinks to request a web-based listening to court docket.
For New Yorkers particularly, you possibly can scroll down the web page to search out the data for the Federal Plaza Immigration Courtroom (26 Federal Plaza), Broadway Immigration Courtroom (290 Broadway) and Varick Immigration Courtroom (201 Varick Road) in NYC.
You too can name the EOIR Hotline at 1-800-898-7180 and enter your A-number to get your subsequent court docket date and site.
Request a distant listening to as quickly as doable
In case your court docket listening to is scheduled to be in particular person, you possibly can request that it’s on-line, nonetheless that request could also be denied.
Essential: You could not hear again earlier than the date of your authentic court docket listening to concerning your request. In case you don’t obtain clear affirmation from the court docket a few digital listening to, the court docket requires that you simply seem in particular person. In case you don’t, you danger being eliminated in absentia and deported.
Being granted a digital immigration court docket listening to depends on several factors: the court docket’s location, your assigned decide, your causes for the request, and whether or not you’ve authorized illustration.
To request a digital listening to, you possibly can both name the immigration court docket or submit a written request. Listed here are the overall telephone numbers for immigration courts in NYC:
- Broadway Immigration Courtroom : 212-240-4900
- Federal Plaza Immigration Courtroom: 917-454-1040
- Varick Immigration Courtroom: 646-638-5766
In case you select to ship a written request you will need to achieve this earlier than your listening to date. You are able to do it by following this template. You don’t want a lawyer to do that, however you probably have one, ask for his or her assist.
When writing the request be sure to Embrace:
- Your full title and A-number
- Date and time of your listening to
- Motive on your request. For instance: “worry of ICE presence exterior court docket”
- Your contact info equivalent to telephone and/or how you’ll entry the video assembly.
- You possibly can say one thing like, “Resulting from credible worry of ICE presence on the courthouse and private security issues, I respectfully request to attend my listening to remotely by phone or video.”
Different requirements are:
- All info you present should be in English.
- Print, signal, and date the writing request in two locations utilizing a blue or black pen.
- Ship a duplicate of the signed movement to the federal government lawyer. Their mailing handle can be found here beneath “OPLA Mailing Deal with.” OPLA stands for Workplace of the Principal Authorized Advisor, which is the authorized illustration for the Division of Homeland Safety.
- Ensure that to maintain a digital copy on your private data.
Ship your request early, securely — and to the best place
Ensure that the court docket receives your movement earlier than your listening to:
Name the court docket earlier than your listening to
In case you haven’t heard again or haven’t acquired additional directions, name the court docket clerk’s hotline to substantiate that your movement was accepted. You possibly can attain the hotline at 800-898-7180.
- Ask: “Was my movement to seem by telephone or video accredited?”
- If sure, ask for the telephone quantity or video hyperlink you want to connect with the listening to.
It’s at all times higher to have a lawyer for this complete course of, in case any questions or obstacles come up. You will get free legal assistance here or name MOIA Immigration Authorized Help Facilities at 800-354-0365 to get free authorized assist over the telephone.