Walking into immigration court for the first time can feel like stepping into a process that nobody fully explained to you. The notices arrived, maybe in the mail, maybe handed to you in person, and now there is a date on a document and a courtroom somewhere in Chicago waiting for you. We have guided many clients through this moment, and the one thing we hear most often is: “I just wish someone had told me what to expect.”
That is exactly what this is for. Understanding your rights and the structure of the removal process is the foundation of any solid defense. Our immigration law attorneys at Borjas Law Group work with clients across the Chicago area, and we want you to go into that courtroom informed, not guessing.
The Notice to Appear: Where It All Starts
Before your first hearing ever happens, the government serves you with a document called a Notice to Appear, often referred to as an NTA. The Department of Homeland Security serves this document on the individual, advising them of the nature of the proceedings, the alleged immigration law violations, the right to be represented by an attorney, and the consequences of failing to appear.
And another thing worth knowing: 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. You can verify your case status using your A-number through the EOIR system or by calling the Immigration Court Hotline.
Your First Hearing Is Called a Master Calendar Hearing
The master calendar hearing is the first hearing in removal proceedings before an immigration judge of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which is part of the Department of Justice. Think of it as the opening chapter of your case, not the final decision.
Master hearings are held for pleadings, scheduling, and other similar matters. In plain terms, the judge reviews the government’s charges against you, explains your rights, and begins mapping out the road ahead. This is not the hearing where the final decision is made about your case. That happens later during an individual merits hearing.
To clarify that last point: many clients arrive at their master calendar hearing bracing for a final ruling. That is rarely what happens. The purpose of this first appearance is largely procedural, though that does not mean it carries no weight.
What Happens When You Walk In
All visitors to the immigration court must undergo a security screening through a metal detector as well as a handbag screening each time they visit. Give yourself extra time for that process. Once inside, printed sheets with information on individual cases are posted outside each courtroom and in the lobby to help you find where your courtroom is.
The master calendar hearing itself is relatively short and will typically take no more than five to twenty minutes. However, there are usually many other hearings scheduled at the same time, so counting wait time, you may expect to be in court for several hours. Bring something to occupy your time while you wait, and be patient.
What the Judge Will Address
Once your name is called, you and your attorney will stand before the immigration judge, who will state the specifics of the government’s charges against you as detailed in the Notice to Appear. That document forms the basis of the proceedings and outlines why the government believes you are removable from the United States.
The immigration judge will typically decide three questions at a master hearing: whether DHS properly served the respondent with a legally sufficient Notice to Appear; whether the respondent is removable as charged; and if so, whether the person should be removed or can apply for some kind of relief from removal, such as adjustment of status, cancellation of removal, or asylum.
More precisely, the judge may not resolve all three of those questions in one session. A non-citizen may have several master calendar hearings before presenting their full case at an individual calendar hearing. The number of preliminary hearings depends on the complexity of the case, the court’s schedule, and whether additional time is needed to prepare legal arguments.
You will also have the opportunity to tell the court whether you plan to fight the charges. If you are contesting the charges, you and your attorney will explain why you believe you have a legal basis for remaining in the United States, and you can provide an estimate of how much time you will need to present your case at your individual hearing.
What Happens If You Miss Your Hearing
Missing a court date is one of the most damaging things that can happen to an immigration case. Missing a hearing can result in the judge closing your case and issuing an order of removal from the country. If your case is closed and a judge orders your removal, you can appeal by filing a motion to reopen your case. That process is harder, more expensive, and less certain than simply showing up in the first place.
Also, if you move, update your address with the court promptly. You should let the court know your new address within five days of any move by filing an EOIR-33 form. If you do not file a change of address, notices about upcoming court dates could go to your old address, and if you miss a court date, the judge could issue an order of removal.
Why Having an Attorney at This Stage Matters
We want to be direct about this. During the master calendar hearing, the immigration judge can make serious substantive decisions in a case, including ordering the respondent’s removal or denying applications for immigration relief. Preparation for the master hearing goes beyond reviewing administrative matters and can require a significant amount of legal analysis and strategizing.
Most people go into this process without fully understanding what is at stake at that first appearance. By the time they realize the hearing was more consequential than they expected, options may have already narrowed. We encourage clients to reach out to us before that first court date, not after. Early consultation gives us time to review the Notice to Appear, identify potential defenses, and prepare a strategy that positions you for the best possible outcome going forward.
At Borjas Law Group, LLC. in Chicago, we represent clients throughout Cook County and the broader Chicagoland area in removal proceedings and all aspects of immigration law. If you or someone you care about has received a Notice to Appear, contact our office. We are here when you need us.
