San Antonio Immigration Court
- Court Announcements
- About the Court
- Contact the Court
- Public Health
- Immigration Court Procedures
- Helpful Links
Court Announcements
- Internet-Based Hearings Access Information
- Operational Status Information
- Administrative Control List
- More Court Information
About the Court
The San Antonio 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.
Contact the Court
Address
800 Dolorosa, Suite 300
San Antonio, TX 78207
Hours
- Public Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Window Filing Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone
210-472-6637
The immigration court does not accept faxes or other electronic submissions unless the transmission has been specifically requested by the immigration court staff or the immigration judge. Unauthorized transmissions are not made part of the record and are discarded without consideration of the document or notice to the sender.
Parking/Transit
Visitor parking is available. Public transportation is available.
Building Access and Security Screening Process
Lobby Entrance
This court is located in a private building. All visitors are required to check in and sign-in.
Security Procedures
All visitors to the immigration court must undergo a security screening through a metal detector machine as well as a handbag screening each time they visit the immigration court. Shoes may be required to be removed, if needed.
Visitors must not bring any cameras, video or recording equipment.
Assistant Chief Immigration Judge*
Staff Assistant or Alternate POC
N/A
Court Administrator
Jose Juarez
210-208-9144
Jose.Juarez@usdoj.gov
Immigration Judges
- Justin Adams - in person
- Clerk: Rosalio Castorena
210-230-9511
- Clerk: Rosalio Castorena
- Margaret D. Burkhart - in person
- Clerk: Laura Garza
210-208-9129
- Clerk: Laura Garza
- Thomas G. Crossan Jr. - internet-based
- Clerk: Linda Rodarte
210-230-9515
- Clerk: Linda Rodarte
- Yvonne S. Gonzalez - in person
- Clerk: Debbie Alvarado
210-208-9146
- Clerk: Debbie Alvarado
- Craig A. Harlow - in person
- Clerk: Holly Pickerin
210-208-9121
- Clerk: Holly Pickerin
- Cynthia Lafuente-Gaona - in person
- Clerk: Darlene George
210-208-9120
- Clerk: Darlene George
- Clay N. Martin - in person
- Clerk: Janis Estrada
210-208-9141
- Clerk: Janis Estrada
- Anibal D. Martinez - in person
- Clerk: Patrick Cruz
210-230-9525
- Clerk: Patrick Cruz
- Charles M. McCullough - in person
- Clerk: Donna Pop
210-208-9103
- Clerk: Donna Pop
- Rifian S. Newaz - in person
- Clerk: Natalie Mosely-Carter
210-208-9145
- Clerk: Natalie Mosely-Carter
- Daniel J. Santander - in person
- Clerk: Xavier Bueno
210-208-9124
- Clerk: Xavier Bueno
- Eric J. Tijerina - in person
- Clerk: RJ Ried
210-230-9512
- Clerk: RJ Ried
- Meredith Tyrakoski - in person
- Clerk: Diane Elam
210-230-9510
- Clerk: Diane Elam
Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialists
Craig Ball
210-208-9150
Michael Blassingame
210-230-9527
Jamal Owens
210-230-9506
Alejandro Quintana
210-208-9114
Melissa Sharer
210-208-9142
Legal Assistants
Ramona Guitierrez
210-208-9143
Briana Johnson
210-208-9148
Lupe Rivera
210-208-9101
Gilbert Mangold
210-208-9102
Rita Valdez
210-208-9140
Marissa Velarde
210-230-9509
Support Services Specialist
N/A
*Backup Assistant Chief Immigration Judge: Jeffrey S. Miller
Public Health
Consistent with public health officials’ guidance, EOIR has implemented practices to help to protect all people working in and visiting EOIR spaces throughout the country. Please see the agency’s Public Health Notice for more information.
EOIR operates within a variety of settings across the country, most commonly in federal or leased buildings controlled by the General Services Administration and detention facilities operated by the Department of Homeland Security. All visitors to any building or facility in which an EOIR operation is located are required to comply with all relevant laws or policies governing access to those buildings or facilities. Individuals who do not comply with any relevant laws or policies may be denied access to or asked to leave the building or facility. Individuals seeking to visit any building or facility in which an EOIR operation is located are encouraged to contact the building or facility in advance to determine any relevant policies or laws related to entry.
The immigration court has put into place procedures to implement the guidance of public health officials. Please take note of the information below and be prepared to follow these and any additional instructions provided to you when you arrive for your hearing.
- Be prepared – have a mask available. Face coverings may be required in the courtroom if directed by the presiding immigration judge. As necessary and when appropriate, individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering should alert the judge to their situation.
- To maintain appropriate social distancing and best facilitate hearings, you may be asked to move or leave a particular area.
- Waiting times to enter the building and EOIR space may be significantly longer than usual. Make arrangements to arrive in advance of your hearing so you arrive to the courtroom on time.
- Social distancing (maintaining a distance of six feet from those with whom you do not live) is required.
- Please remember this while choosing to enter an elevator. Elevator wait times may be significantly longer than usual for this reason.
- In EOIR space, staff or signs may direct you to a seat. If instructed to sit in a particular location, do not switch seats.
- Please do not bring people with you into EOIR space unless they are required to be present for your hearing. Remember that the immigration court may limit entry.
Immigration Court Procedures
For information regarding procedures for practice before the immigration courts, please review the Immigration Court Practice Manual.
Helpful Links and Information
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are therefore separate from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). For more information about those DHS offices, please see the following links:
- USCIS Asylum Office
- USCIS field office
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office
- ICE Office of the Chief Counsel
News Media/Congressional Inquiries
News media and congressional inquiries regarding the immigration court must be directed to the EOIR Communications and Legislative Affairs Division (CLAD):
Communications and Legislative Affairs Division
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1800
Falls Church, VA 22041
703-305-0289 (phone)
PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov
Holidays and Emergencies
The immigration court is open Monday to Friday except for federal holidays. The Office of Personnel Management publishes a list of the observed dates of every federal holiday by year online at this link: OPM holidays. Additionally, the court may have to unexpectedly close due to inclement weather or another emergency. When necessary, information on immigration court closures or changes to the immigration court’s operating hours is available at the following links: (1) Twitter and (2) Facebook.
eRegistry
Attorneys and accredited representatives are required to register with EOIR in order to represent respondents in immigration court. More information is available at the following link: eRegistry Validation Process.
Legal Self-Help Center
The EOIR, Office of Legal Access Programs has created numerous self-help materials with many helpful resources for respondents, including information on what to do if respondents have moved or missed a hearing.
Notarios
EOIR warns respondents about immigration fraud perpetrated by notarios who claim to provide legal assistance but are unable to represent respondents in immigration court, provide legal services, or give legal advice. For more information, please see the following document:
- Fact Sheet, “EOIR’s Programs to Fight Fraud, Abuse, and Ineffective Representation in Immigration Proceedings” (March 2016).
Appeals
Immigration court decisions are first appealable to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Instructions on how to file an appeal and the Appeals Form EOIR-26, Notice of Appeal from a Decision of an Immigration Judge, are available online in the E-26 and appeal instructions. The BIA website contains more information on the appeals process and procedure.
Virtual Law Library
The EOIR Virtual Law Library (VLL) contains many other legal resources and country conditions research resources as well as other reference materials.
Observing Court
Generally, immigration court proceedings are open to the public. An overview of when immigration court hearings might be closed as well as general guidelines for behavior when observing immigration court hearings are available at the following link: Observing Immigration Court Hearings. Note, the use of electronic devices, including audio/visual recordings of hearings and taking photographs, is prohibited in immigration court.