NON-DETAINED CASES
Q. What are the Court's
hours of operation?
A. The Immigration Court is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, except on federal holidays. See the Court Observed Holidays link under General Information. Filings are accepted at the 8th floor reception window. Information and inquiries can be made at the reception window as well.
Q. What is the
San Francisco Immigration Court
's
mailing address and telephone number?
A. The
San Francisco
Immigration Court
address and telephone
number is:
Executive Office for
Immigration Review
San Francisco Immigration Court
120 Montgomery Street, Suite 800
San Francisco, California 94104
(415) 705-4415
Q. How can I reach the judge’s clerk or check the status on a filed motion?
A. Please refer to the court directory under the General Information link on the website for a listing of names and phone extensions.
Q. How can I review my file or request tapes of my hearing?
A. Requests for the review of the record of proceeding or CDs/tapes may be made in person, phone or email. Email requests can be sent to sfropreview@usdoj.gov. The court encourages that you submit your request via email, and court staff will reply to your request within two business days. In person requests are accepted, but availability to review the file or CD/tape depends on court resources and space in the review area. Requests to review a file or request CDs/tapes can be made in person or by email as long as the following requirements are met:
a) you are the respondent, (please bring identification with you)
b) you are the attorney/representative for the respondent (EOIR-28 on file); or
c) you have the written permission of the respondent to review the record.
Q. Will the court make photocopies of documents for me?
A. No, the court cannot provide photocopy services for the public. Copies can be made in the copy store located in the basement area of the building.
Q. What address do I use to FedEx/UPS/DHL filings to the Court?
A. Please use the court’s street address for all FedEx/UPS/DHL, etc. deliveries.
Q. Can I fax or email motions/applications to the court?
A. No, facsimile (fax) or email filings are not accepted generally. On rare occasions judges or legal assistants may provide approval to parties in order to fax documents to the court.
Q. Where can I call to get information about my case?
A. The Immigration Court Information System telephone number is 1-800-898-7180. This automated system will provide information about your next hearing date, asylum processing information, decision information, case appeal information and filing information. The information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This information will be provided in either English or Spanish. You must have the alien registration number to obtain the case information.
Q. How do I get to the San Francisco Immigration Court?
A. The Court is located in the San Francisco Downtown Financial District on Montgomery Street between Sutter and Bush streets. For your convenience, you may use the Yahoo! Maps mapping service. The building does not have a parking garage but parking is available at nearby garages that charge hourly/daily rates. The court encourages visitors to take public transportation (BART or MUNI) which provide easy access to the court. The Montgomery BART station is the closest stop to the court.
Q. Can I bring my cell phone, camera or video equipment with me?
A. Cell phones may be brought into the court, but only may be used in the waiting rooms and elevator lobby areas. Cell phones may not be used in the courtrooms. Camera and Video equipment are not allowed.
Q. What should I expect when I arrive at the building?
A. All persons will have to check in with the lobby attendants at the ground level entrance and sign in with a form of valid identification. Also, upon entering court space, all persons must be screened and pass through a metal detector. All personal belongings, packages, briefcases, etc. will be x-rayed. No cameras or video equipment are allowed in the building. The building is a smoke-free facility.
We strongly recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of your scheduled hearing to allow for lobby and security screening.
Q. How do I find my courtroom?
A. Immigration courtrooms are located on the 8th and 9th floors. Daily court hearing calendars are posted in the 8th floor waiting room area. Please refer to the listing of courtrooms on the website for the directory of judges and their courtrooms. The calendars contain the names and case numbers of everyone who is scheduled for a hearing that day, as well as the name of the Immigration Judge presiding over your case. Once you have located your name on the bulletin board, proceed to the appropriate floor and courtroom for your hearing. If you do not find your name on the scheduling board, go directly to the reception window on the 8th floor and ask the clerk for assistance.
Q. What do I do when I arrive at my courtroom?
A. If you are there for your first hearing, which is called a master calendar hearing, you will encounter many other people in that room who are also scheduled for a hearing. Have a seat in the courtroom and wait for the court clerk or judge to call your name.
Q. Is food allowed in the courtrooms?
A. No. Food and beverages are not permitted in the courtrooms.
Q. What if I don't have a lawyer with me?
A. YOU MUST COME TO YOUR HEARING ANYWAY. If this is your first master calendar hearing, and you do not have a lawyer, it is likely that a pro-bono attorney may be available to help you with your hearing. A list of free legal service providers is also provided to assist you in obtaining legal representation.
Q. I cannot afford an attorney. What should I do?
A. While you have the right to an attorney, one will NOT be provided to you by the court. We cannot recommend an attorney but you may wish to use the list of free legal services providers which has the names of free or low cost agencies and representatives in the area.
Q. Will there be an interpreter present if I don't speak English?
A. At your first master calendar hearing, a Spanish speaking interpreter will be available to interpret for you. If you need an interpreter for another language, the Immigration Judge may use a telephonic interpreter or may have to adjourn your case in order to obtain an in- person interpreter. At all individual hearings, the Court will ensure that a court interpreter in your native language is available.
Q. Should I bring my children to court?
A. You should bring the children who have received a Notice to Appear to the hearing. The judge will advise you at the hearing as to whether the children in proceedings should attend future hearings. If your children do not have a Notice to Appear, efforts should be made to leave your children at home under the care of a responsible adult.
Q. Are telephonic hearings permitted?
A. In certain instances, respondents and representatives may appear by telephone at some master calendar hearings, at the Immigration Judge’s discretion. If the request for a telephonic hearing is approved, and if the hearing is scheduled between the hours of 8:30 a.m and 12:00 p.m. PST, the representative must be available at the number he/she provided the court for the entire time (8:30-12:00) until the Judge calls them. If the hearing is scheduled between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST, the representative must be available at the number he/she provided the court for the entire time (12:00-5:00). Should a request for telephonic hearing be denied, then the court will advise the legal representative. If the court has not ruled on the request by the time of the scheduled hearing, or the request is denied, the respondent and his legal representative are required to appear in person at the hearing.
Q. How do I notify the court if I change my address or move out of the state?
A. Whether represented or not, aliens in proceedings before the Immigration Court must notify the Immigration Court within 5 days of any change in address or telephone number, using the Aliens Change of Address Form (Form EOIR-33/IC).
Q. How do I ask for a change of venue?
A. If you move to another residence and want your case heard at a different court, you or your attorney/representative may request a Change of Venue from the Immigration Judge. However, until the Immigration Judge grants your request for a change of venue, you are required to appear at all scheduled hearings before the court. You or your attorney/legal representative should file the request for a change of venue through a written motion.
Q. Where do I pay fees for applications?
A. The Immigration Court does not accept any filing fees associated with applications for relief. All application fees must be paid to the Department of Homeland Security Service Center.
Q. Do I have to give a copy of my filing with the Immigration Court to anyone else?
A. For all filings before the Immigration Court, a party must provide, or serve an identical copy of that filing on the Department of Homeland Security. Except for filings served during a hearing or jointly-filed motions agreed upon by all parties, you must declare in writing that a copy has been served. This written declaration is called a Proof of Service, or Certificate of Service.
Q. What is the mailing address for the Department of Homeland Security?
A. The contact information for the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel in San Francisco is:
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel
Department of Homeland Security
120 Montgomery Street, Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 705-4473
E-mail the duty attorney at sfrdutyattorney@dhs.gov.
DETAINED CASES
Q. Where are the hearings conducted for detainees?
A. Detained hearings and Bond Hearings are held at the Appraisers Building located at:
630 Sansome Street, 4th floor, Room 475
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 705-1033
You can call the court directly to find out more specific information about a detained case at the Immigration Court.
Q. What are the filing window hours?
A. The filing window hours are from 8am-4pm, please note the window closes from 11:30am-12:30pm for lunch.
Q. What do I do if I am attending a hearing for a family member or friend who is being detained in jail?
A. Family members or friends can attend these hearings in person at the court. Space may be limited in the courtrooms, and family members may need to remain the waiting room until the case is called.
Q. How do I post a Bond for a detained person?
A. Bonds can be posted at:
Department of Homeland Security
Detention and Removal Office
630 Sansome Street., 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
8:00 a.m. - 3:45p.m.
(415) 844-5512 and press 3
