 IMMIGRATION COURT |
Welcome to the Atlanta Immigration Court!
The Atlanta Immigration Court falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge which is a component of the Executive Office for Immigration Review under the Department of Justice.
Our court has made a commitment to provide access to information through the Internet in order to service the needs of the public.
Our goal is to provide the most current and accurate information available to those needing to appear before an Immigration Judge and to provide this information in a user-friendly fashion.
Please note: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) are separate organizations.
| About the Court |
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) was established as an independent agency in 1983. Its multifaceted role includes responsibility for interpreting immigration laws in administrative hearings, and appellate review hearings of a variety of immigration issues. The Atlanta, Georgia, Immigration Court falls under the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is a component of EOIR under the Department of Justice.
U.S. Immigration Court
180 Spring Street, SW, Suite 241
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-331-0907
EOIR toll-free: 1-800-898-7180
DHS toll-free: 1-800-375-5283
William A. Cassidy
Madeline Garcia
Wayne K. Houser, Jr.
J. Dan Pelletier, Sr.
Earle B. Wilson
Cynthia Long
Andre Allen
Stacia Best
Candice Collins
Marion Crosby
Maurice Crossley
Stephanie Levindofske
Britney Luckey
Betsy Schuster
Charles Swartz
| Visitor Information |
The Atlanta Immigration Court is located at:
180 Spring Street, SW, Suite 241
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Court Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Intake Window/Document Filing Hours:
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Inclement Weather
For hours of operation during inclement weather, call the Atlanta Federal Executive Board at 404-331-4400
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Juan P. Osuna |
| Director, Executive Office for Immigration Review |
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Office of Legislative and Public Affairs |
| 703-305-0289 |
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| Case Information System |
| 240-314-1500 or 1-800-898-7180 Case status information available 24/7 |
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| Filing Information |
| 703-605-1007 |
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| Filing Information for Employer Sanctions and Anti-discrimination Cases |
| 703-305-0864 |
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| Attorney Discipline Program/ Fraud Program |
| 703-305-0470 |
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| FOIA Service Center |
| 703-605-1297 |
Local Rules
The Immigration Judges in Atlanta encourage all those appearing before them to familiarize themselves with the Immigration Court Practice Manual and to be prepared and ready to go forward with the case on the day of the hearing.
Hearings
The Immigration Judges are responsible for conducting formal court proceedings and act independently in their decision-making capacity. Immigration Judge decisions are administratively final, unless appealed or certified to the Board of the Immigration Appeals.
Master Calendar hearings are generally held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting at 8:30 a.m.
NOTE: The Immigration Court is not part of the Department of Homeland Security.
If you need to discuss a case with a representative of the Department of Homeland Security, you may contact the DHS-Atlanta by clicking here.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Addresses
Mailing address for:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)
Office of Chief Counsel
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
180 Spring Street, Suite 332
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-893-1423 / 404-893-1400
Mailing address for:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
Field Office Director
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
180 Spring Street, Suite 522
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-893-1290
General Information for ICE and CIS
National Service Center: 1-800-375-5283
Forms Information Line: 1-800-870-3676
Online: http://www.uscis.gov
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: What are the court's hours of operation?
A: The Immigration Court is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Filings are accepted from
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 12:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Q: What do I do when I arrive at the Immigration Court?
A: The courtrooms are located on the main lobby level of
the building. Once inside the Immigration Court, suite 241, you will find court
calendars posted. These 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 the case. There are five courtrooms. Once you have located
your name on the scheduling board, proceed to the appropriate courtroom for
your hearing. If you do not find your name on the scheduling board, go directly
to the main window, and ask the legal assistant/court 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. Please be seated, and wait for the court
to call your case.
Q: What do I do if I am attending a hearing for a family
member or friend who is being detained?
A: During detained hearings, family members and friends
are allowed in the courtroom only during their family member's hearing. If you
are a family member or friend of a detainee, you must inform the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Detention Officer that you are here for the
hearing. When your family member's case is heard by the Immigration Judge, the
DHS Detention Officer will let you know when you may enter the courtroom.
Q: Do I have to have a lawyer?
A: No, you may elect to proceed without a lawyer if you
choose to do so. However, the Department of Homeland Security will have
a lawyer present to represent them.
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 translate for you. If you need an interpreter
for another language, the Immigration Judge may use a telephonic interpreter
or may adjourn your case in order to obtain an interpreter. After your first
hearing, the Court will ensure that a court interpreter in your native language
is available.
Q: How do I notify the court if I change my address or
move out of the state?
A: You must notify the Court
of any change of address while under proceedings. Form EOIR-33, which is the
form used to notify the court of change of an address can be obtained from the
clerk or the Immigration Judge. This form must be submitted within five days
from the date of your move.
Q: How do I ask for a change of venue?
A: If you move out of state, you or your legal representative
may request a Change of Venue from the Immigration Judge. However, until the
Immigration Judge grants your request, you are required to appear at all scheduled
hearings before the court. You or your legal representative should file a written
motion for change of venue, with a proposed order, and a Certificate of Service
as early as possible in advance of the scheduled hearing. You or your legal
representative may check with Court to ascertain if the change of venue motion
has been decided. Please refer to the Immigration
Court Practice Manual for additional details.
Q: Why do I need a Certificate of Service?
A: All correspondence or applications regarding any case
must be accompanied by a Certificate of Service verifying that the same materials
have been sent to the appropriate DHS office. See C.F.R. §3.30.
Q: How do I ask for an continuance?
A: Parties seeking a continuance of any scheduled hearing
before an Immigration Judge must file a written motion for continuance. Please
refer to the Immigration
Court Practice Manual for additional details.
Q: Can I fax motions and applications to the court?
A: No, facsimile filings are not available. With the exception
of asylum applications which must be filed during a court hearing, the Immigration
Court will accept regular submissions by mail or in person filings through the
window in advance of the scheduled hearing. On the day of the hearing, you or
your legal representative may submit written motions, applications for relief,
and other relevant documentation to the Immigration Judge. Copies of all submissions
to the court should also be provided to the Department of Homeland Security.
This may be accomplished by regular mail in advance of the scheduled hearing.
Q: Will the Court accept filings of Foreign Language Documents?
A: No. All Foreign Language documents must be accompanied by
both an English language translation and a certificate signed by the translator.
Q: Can I submit any size correspondence to the Court for filing?
A: No. All materials submitted must be on 8½" x 11" paper,
two-hole punched. Please refer to the Immigration
Court Practice Manual for additional details.
Q: What will happen at the hearing?
A: Whether you proceed on your own or with a legal representative,
the Immigration Judge will advise you of your rights. You will have an opportunity
to obtain a legal representative at no expense to the government; to make an
appeal; to present evidence; to testify and have witnesses testify; to examine
and object to the government's evidence; to cross examine witnesses presented
by the government. You will have an opportunity to plead to the allegations
and all charges. If removability is not conceded, the Immigration Judge will
conduct a hearing to determine the issue of removability. If removability is
established, the Immigration Judge will advise you of any potential relief and
allow you an opportunity to submit the appropriate applications for such relief.
Q: What will happen at the conclusion of the hearing?
A: The Immigration Judge will enter a decision in your
case which may be oral or written. If oral, it will be presented at the conclusion
of your hearing. If written, it will be sent to you in the mail. Either way,
the decision will contain the Immigration Judge's findings of facts, conclusions
of law, and any reasons for granting or denying relief. You will have the opportunity
to appeal this decision if you so choose. If you wish to appeal, Form EOIR 26
(Notice of Appeal) should be filed within 30 days with the Board of Immigration
Appeals.
Q: How do I make an appeal?
A: The Notice of Appeal (Form EOIR 26) must be written
in English and received by the Board of Immigration Appeals at 5201 Leesburg
Pike Suite 1300, Falls Church, VA 22041 within 30 days of the Immigration Judge's
decision you are appealing.
Q: Will my application require a fee?
A: With the exception of asylum applications, most applications
for relief require a fee. Please see the standard fee schedule for details at
8 C.F.R. section 103.7. The procedures for requesting a fee waiver are found
at 8 C.F.R. section 103.7(c).
Q: Where do I pay fees for applications?
A: Immigration Court does not accept any filing fees associated
with applications for relief. All application fees must be paid at the nearest
DHS office. Once the application fee has been paid, the application with the
fee receipt must be filed with the Atlanta Immigration Court, 180 Spring Street,
Suite 241, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Q: How do I make a record or tape request?
A: Requests to review a file can be made in person or in
writing during hours of operation.
Requests for copies of hearing tapes must be made in writing and must include
blank tapes for duplicating.
Q: How do I make a bond request?
A: Bond hearing must be made in writing, with a Certificate
of Service to the DHS District Counsel.
Q: What happens if my case is not pending before the Court?
A: Until a charging document is received from DHS, (with
the exception of bond cases) your case is not pending before the court. You
may check with DHS 404-331-0253 or 1-800 375-5283 to determine the status
of your case.
| Courtroom Etiquette |
Courtroom proceedings shall not be disrupted by requesting information or decisions, on cases that are not currently before the Immigration Judge. All questions, motions, and briefs shall be referred to the reception/intake window if not on the docket for that particular day.
All electronic equipment, including but not limited to cellular or wireless phones, pagers, alarm watches, must be silenced prior to entering the courtrooms.
Please read our Privacy and Security Notice
Updated August 2012
