Texas leads the country in pending immigration cases and has the largest backlog. That means immigrants can often wait more than two years to get their case heard.
Despite a hiring spree to add more judges, that backlog continues to grow to record heights. That’s why it’s important to understand your options when it comes to defending yourself in immigration court.
Court Location and Hours
The Immigration Court in Dallas is located on the 10th floor of the Earle Cabell Federal Building in downtown Dallas. It is open Monday through Friday, except for federal holidays.
When you arrive at the court, you should go through security and then take an elevator to Suite 1060. Then you can find the courtroom in a small hallway on your left after you exit the elevators.
Remember that everything that happens in the courtroom is digitally recorded, so be quiet and make sure your cell phone is turned off. Also, don’t chew gum in court because that is a quick way to earn an immigration judge’s wrath.
The Immigration Court is part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and it is located in Dallas, Texas. It is one of 13 immigration courts in the state. It resolves deportation cases of persons residing in North Texas. It is staffed by 9 immigration judges. They are responsible for deciding whether an immigrant is allowed to stay in the United States or must be deported.
Court Procedures
The Dallas Immigration Court resolves deportation cases of people residing in the North Texas area. It is one of the 13 immigration courts in the State of Texas.
Currently, the court is made up of 10 immigration judges. The Assistant Chief Immigration Judge is Judge Mark Barcus, while the judges who hear asylum cases are James Nugent, Richard Ozmun, and Deitrich Sims.
Asylum seekers from El Salvador and Honduras are the largest group of asylum seekers before the Dallas court.
If you are appearing at an immigration court hearing, be sure to arrive on time and in appropriate attire. Wear a clean shirt or blouse and if you have children, make sure they are supervised at all times.
Also, be sure to follow the directions of the presiding immigration judge and the staff. Social distancing is required, so remember to keep a distance of six feet from others who do not live with you.
Legal Representation
Individuals who end up in the immigration system due to committing a crime, being caught as an illegal immigrant, or being denied a visa need aggressive and knowledgeable representation. An attorney specializing in deportation defense can help you understand the process, fight for your rights and work toward a positive outcome.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association offers a lawyer referral service to locate an attorney who has experience in your specific area of immigration law. However, it is best to consult with an experienced lawyer first to ensure that your case is handled properly.
Legal assistance is available for a fee at many law schools and non-profit organizations in the Dallas area. Some law schools have legal aid clinics that offer legal services for a flat fee, while others charge an hourly rate.
Bonds
Bonds are a key part of the immigration detention process. They allow a family member who is being detained to be released from custody while awaiting the outcome of their case.
Once ICE has taken your loved one into custody, the government will set a bond amount. This is based on a number of factors, including the risk of absconding or flight from justice, whether your loved one poses a threat to national security or the community, and his or her employment status.
ICE will then deposit the cash paid for the bond in a Treasury Department fund called the Immigration Bond Deposit Account. This money is held in trust for the bonded individual and earns a market-based rate per year.
If a bonded individual fails to appear in court, ICE will send a Notice of Immigration Bond Breach to the obligor and will not issue a refund to the person posting the bond. This can be a frustrating experience for families of bonded individuals as they are unable to receive the refund from their obligor.
