Immigrants & Immigration

The person will have received a Notice to Appear (NTA). This is a document that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gives to tell someone what immigration violations they are charging. If someone thinks they may have been given a NTA, but is not sure, they can look up whether they have an immigration court case by phone or online. 

To find out a scheduled court date, non-citizen can:

• Call the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) immigration court hotline
  • Toll-free: (800) 898-7180
  • From detention centers: Dial “111” on the pro bono platform. The pro bono platform gives detained individuals free, unmonitored phone access to certain government and nongovernment entities, such as immigration courts, consular officials, and legal service providers.
• Check online: EOIR Automated Case Information System

They will need to have their US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) number to look up their case. It is also called an A-number, alien registration number, or alien number. Since court schedules often change, it is important to check regularly by calling the hotline or visiting the website to confirm the hearing date and location.

Once a person has an NTA, they become the “respondent” in the immigration case.

Note: Going to immigration court is different from going to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check-in.

The Chicago Immigration court hears cases from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. There are two immigration court locations in Chicago. If a person is in detention and their court hearings are scheduled for in-person, they will be taken to 536 S. Clark St, Room 340, Chicago, IL. It is more likely that a detained person will have video conference hearings.

If a person is not in detention, then their court hearing will be at 55 E. Monroe St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60603. There is a lot of paid parking around the court, and a paid parking garage at 55 E. Monroe Street. It’s important to consider the time it takes to get there with traffic and parking. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has a train stop at the corner of Adams Street and Wabash, which is near the immigration court. The Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple train lines stop at Adams and Wabash. There are also multiple bus stops near the immigration court.

Generally, non-citizens living in Illinois will need to go to the Chicago Immigration Court. However, it’s important to confirm that the Chicago court is listed on the NTA. A person living in Illinois might have a different court listed if they used to live in a different state or were stopped by immigration in another state. Non-citizens must appear at the court listed on their NTA. If they can’t go to the other court location, they can request that the immigration court change their case to Chicago.

All people arriving at the court building will have to go through a security check-point. They will have to walk through a metal detector, and any bags will be searched. They may also need to remove their shoes. Food or drink is not allowed in the building, and will be thrown away by security. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be placed on silent.

After going through security, the non-citizen who is in removal proceedings must sign in. There will be lists that have judges’ names hanging on a wall. Underneath each judge's list, there are two sign-in sheets - one is for lawyers, one is for people there without lawyers. The non-citizen must sign their name on the correct sheet, or the judge will not know that they are in the building. The clerk sitting at the reception window can help if needed.

After signing in, there is a waiting area where people can wait. There will be other people waiting for their hearings as well. The judge's clerk calls people’s names when they want them to go into the courtroom.

The courtroom is where the non-citizen will meet the immigration judge and present their case. In removal cases, there are three types of hearings.

The first kind of hearing is a master calendar hearing. This is usually the first type of hearing someone has in an immigration case. The judge will explain the respondent’s rights and why they are in removal proceedings. The judge will ask the respondent whether the facts in the NTA are true, and whether they admit or deny the charges against them. The judge may ask the respondent questions about themselves, their family, their history in the US, and any criminal record. Finally, the judge will tell the respondent when they must return to court, what kind of hearing they will have, and whether they have to do anything before coming back.

Respondents have a right to ask for more time (a continuance) or to delay their case at the master calendar hearing. This could give them time to try to get a lawyer. The non-citizen may have several master calendar hearings before presenting their full case at an individual calendar hearing.

The second kind of hearing is a bond hearing. This hearing is for people who are in immigration detention. They are requesting to be released from detention by paying a fee, also known as a bond. 

The third kind of hearing is the individual calendar or merits hearing. At this hearing, the respondent gives the reasons why they should not be deported. Learn more about getting relief in immigration court. If they have a lawyer, the lawyer can make those arguments.

After the merits hearing, the IJ will decide if they will let the non-citizen stay or order them deported. The decision will come in writing after the close of the proceedings.

Yes, it is possible that someone could get arrested when they go to immigration court. ICE is allowed to arrest people in any public place, which includes immigration courts. Traditionally, ICE would not pursue people attending their immigration hearings. As of May 2025, ICE began arresting and detaining people when they go to their immigration hearings. They do not arrest everyone that goes to court. ICE does not arrest people at every courthouse. Things change quickly so it's difficult to predict who will be arrested.

It is still important to attend immigration court, even if someone is worried about being arrested. Missing an immigration court hearing for any reason can result in an order of deportation. This is difficult to overcome. It’s important for people to prepare in case they are arrested in immigration court.

They should bring the Notice to Appear and the notice listing the date and time of their hearing. 

In case the judge asks, a person should make sure they know the following about themselves:

• Date and place of birth
• Country of citizenship or nationality
• Date and place of entries into and exits from the United States, and whether they had a visa at the time
• Their criminal history, including arrests, charges, and outcomes (for example, probation or jail time)
• Their prior interactions with immigration officials
• Whether their family members (spouse, children, parents, or siblings) have green cards or are US citizens

It is okay for someone to write this information down and bring the paper to court to help them remember. This information is very important because it may let the judge know whether they are eligible to stay in the United States.

Yes. The law requires immigration courts to provide interpreters for respondents. There is usually a Spanish-language interpreter available in the courtroom. If a respondent needs another language, then they must tell the judge at their first hearing. The respondent can bring someone with them to interpret the first time they go to court. Consider the immigration status of the person coming to interpret.

Sometimes, the court will need to change the date of a person’s hearing. If so, they will be mailed a new hearing notice with the new date and time. Therefore, it is very important that the court has the respondent’s current address and telephone number. If their address or telephone number changes, they must tell the court within five days. The respondent can ask the clerk in the courtroom or at the reception window to give them a change of address form.

Note: All non-citizens must notify immigration court if they move. This must be done within five business days of an address change. If a person fails to change their address, they will miss important notices from immigration that could have serious consequences. A person in removal proceedings must notify the immigration court of their change in address. If they have a pending benefit application with USCIS, they must also notify USCIS.

If a respondent fails to attend any of their immigration court hearings, they may receive an In Absentia Order of Removal. This is an order deporting, or removing the respondent. It means a person has lost their chance to tell a judge why they should not be deported from the US. It is difficult to remove this order once it is in place, so it is important for respondents to be present for hearings. 

If a person knows they won’t be able to go to their scheduled court date, they must try to change it beforehand. This is done by filing a written "motion to continue" with the immigration court. This asks the court to move a hearing date. The respondent has to show the judge that they have a good reason to request a change. The judge will decide whether to grant or deny the respondent’s motion. If it’s granted, then the respondent will have a later court date. If not, the respondent must appear on their scheduled date. If they don’t show up to their scheduled court date, then they may be ordered removed. Generally, if the hearing date is less than two weeks away, it is usually too late to file a motion, and the judge will deny it.

There are no fees for appearing in court. There may be fees for certain actions a respondent wants to take in immigration court. For example, a motion to reopen or reconsider an immigration judge’s decision requires the respondent to pay a fee. Also, if a respondent is applying for relief from deportation by claiming a benefit from DHS, they must also pay the fee, unless they are eligible for a fee waiver. Fees can change regularly. It’s important to check the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) websites for the most current fees.

An immigration judge can waive certain fees if the respondent cannot pay. Fee waivers are not automatic. Respondents must use form EOIR-26A to ask the immigration judge to waive their fees.

If the immigration judge grants the respondent relief, then DHS can waive their right to appeal. They can also reserve their right to appeal the judge’s grant of relief.

If DHS waives its right to appeal, then the immigration judge’s decision is final, and the respondent has won their case.  If DHS reserves the right to appeal, then it has 30 days to file an appeal of the judge’s decision.  If DHS files the appeal, then the respondent will need to continue fighting their case before the Board of Immigration Appeals.  If DHS does not file the appeal within 30 days, then the immigration judge’s decision is final.

If a respondent loses their case in immigration court, then the judge will give them a final order of removal. They can reserve their right to appeal the judge’s decision or they can accept the judge’s decision and leave the US.

If the respondent reserves their right to appeal, the notice of appeal must be filed with the Board of Immigration Appeals within 30 days of the immigration judge’s decision. Appeals are difficult. It is important for non-citizens get legal help if they are in removal proceedings.

The National Immigrant Justice Center has an Immigration Court Helpdesk located inside the building at 55 E Monroe Avenue. They can go to the help desk during their regular business hours to get information about what to do in immigration court and for their case.