What Are "Mega Master" Hearings? What Every Immigrant in the Bay Area Needs to Know Right Now

 Posted on June 01, 2026 in Removal Defense

Immigration courts are now scheduling 100+ deportation cases in a single hearing. If you have a pending case in the Bay Area, here's what you need to know — and do — right now.

If you or a family member has a pending immigration court case — especially one scheduled for later this year or into 2027 or beyond — your hearing date may have already changed without any notice to you. This is not a rumor. It is happening right now across the country, and it could have serious, permanent consequences for your immigration case.

At Hafey Karim, our immigration attorneys in Concord, California are closely monitoring a rapidly developing situation in U.S. immigration courts: the rise of so-called "mega master" hearings. Here is everything you need to understand about what they are, why the government is doing this, and most importantly, what steps you should take immediately to protect yourself.

What Is a Master Calendar Hearing?

To understand what is happening, it helps to know what a master calendar hearing normally is.

When someone is placed in removal (deportation) proceedings, their first court appearance is called a **master calendar hearing**. This is a preliminary proceeding — not the full merits hearing where a judge decides your case — but it is critically important. During a master calendar hearing, the judge informs you of the charges against you, explains your rights, and determines how your case will proceed. Typically, these hearings involve a small group — usually 10 to 15 people — with the judge addressing each person individually.

These hearings set the foundation for everything that follows. What happens at a master calendar hearing can affect your entire case.

What Is a "Mega Master" Hearing?

In May 2026, immigration attorneys across the country began reporting something alarming: their clients were suddenly being scheduled into hearings with **100 or more people at once** — all in the same room, with a single judge, all at the same time.

Attorneys have named these oversized proceedings **"mega master" hearings**.

According to reporting by NPR and ABC News, immigration courts have received a nationwide directive to advance master calendar hearings that were previously scheduled for July 2026 or later — often by months or even years — and consolidate them into these massive group settings. One attorney told ABC News that a judge opened a hearing and simply said: *"We have 100 cases on today's docket."*

Courts are moving fast. Hearing dates are being rescheduled with little or no advance notice sent to the immigrants or their attorneys. In some cases, attorneys only discovered the new dates by checking the EOIR online portal on their own. No letters. No emails. No phone calls.

Why Is the Government Doing This?

The Trump administration has set an explicit goal of deporting as many people as possible, as quickly as possible — aiming for one million deportations per year. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the DOJ agency that oversees immigration courts, confirmed it is "prioritizing the timely completion of all cases" and making scheduling adjustments accordingly.

Critics argue that mega master hearings are not about efficiency — they are about clearing the docket at the expense of fairness. The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) said the hearings are designed to "hustle immigrants towards removal, disregard their rights, and avoid the case-by-case adjudication to which they are entitled."

Here is why this matters: when someone misses their court date — even because they were never properly notified — a judge can issue an **in absentia order of removal**. This means the person can be ordered deported without ever getting a chance to speak. The government reportedly views these automatic removal orders as a tool to clear the court's backlog.

The "Pleading Declaration" Form: Do Not Sign Without Speaking to an Attorney

At some of these mega master hearings, judges have been distributing a form called a **"Respondent's Pleading Declaration."** Immigrants are being told to complete and return this form by a specific deadline.

This form is not routine paperwork. Signing it can significantly alter and **accelerate your deportation proceedings**.

The "pleading" process in immigration court is highly technical. It is the step where you respond to the charges filed against you in your Notice to Appear (NTA). Every item on the NTA matters — your country of citizenship, the alleged dates and facts, the specific immigration law violations listed. If the NTA contains errors (which is not uncommon), you have a right to challenge them. Signing the pleading declaration without legal review could cause you to waive those challenges and speed up your path to deportation.

If you have been handed this form, do not complete or return it until you have spoken with a qualified immigration attorney.

What This Means for Immigrants in Concord, CA and the Bay Area

While the hearings so far have been reported primarily in Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, and other states, this is a **nationwide directive**. California is not exempt, and the Concord Immigration Court — which now handles cases previously assigned to the San Francisco Immigration Court following its closure — operates under the same EOIR system.

This is especially important for Bay Area residents: if your case was previously assigned to the San Francisco court, it has been transferred to Concord. That transfer, combined with the mega master hearing directive, means your case situation may have changed in more than one way without your knowledge.

If you live in Concord, Walnut Creek, Richmond, Antioch, Pittsburg, San Francisco, Marin County, or anywhere in the greater Bay Area and have a pending immigration case, you need to treat this as urgent.

The immigrants most at risk are those who:

- Have a hearing currently scheduled for July 2026 or later (including 2027, 2028, or beyond)

- Do not have an attorney and are not checking the EOIR portal regularly

- Have limited English proficiency and may not fully understand what is being asked of them at a group hearing

- Were served a Notice to Appear and assumed they had time before their case would be heard

5 Steps to Take Right Now If You Have a Pending Immigration Case

1. Check the EOIR Portal Today

Go to [acis.eoir.justice.gov](https://acis.eoir.justice.gov) and log in to check your case status. Do not rely on receiving a mailed notice. Verify your next hearing date directly in the system. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is urging all attorneys — and immigrants themselves — to check the portal constantly.

2. Confirm Your Attorney Is Monitoring Your Case

If you have an attorney, contact their office and confirm they are aware of the mega master hearing trend and are actively monitoring your EOIR portal. Not all attorneys are staying on top of this, and the consequences of a missed date are irreversible.

 3. If You Do Not Have an Attorney, Get One Now

The immigrants most vulnerable to harm from mega master hearings are the unrepresented. Immigration court is complex under the best circumstances. In a room with 100 people and a judge moving through cases rapidly, the risk of having your rights trampled — or unknowingly waiving them — is extremely high.

This is not the time to navigate the system alone. An experienced immigration attorney can monitor your case, appear at your hearing, and ensure your record is properly developed.

4. Do Not Sign Any Forms Without Legal Review

As described above, the "Respondent's Pleading Declaration" form being distributed at some hearings can have serious consequences. If you are given any form at a hearing or by the court, do not complete it until an immigration attorney has reviewed it.

5. Attend Every Hearing — No Matter What

Even if you do not have an attorney yet, even if you are confused, even if you received no advance notice: **show up**. Missing your court date can result in an automatic deportation order. If you are unsure of your date, call the EOIR hotline at 1-800-898-7180.

How Hafey Karim Can Help

At Hafey Karim, we represent immigrants throughout the Bay Area in all stages of removal proceedings, including master calendar hearings, merits hearings, and appeals. With the Concord Immigration Court now serving clients previously assigned to the San Francisco court, our proximity and familiarity with the Concord court puts us in a strong position to help. Our team is actively tracking the mega master hearing situation and ensuring our clients' cases are properly monitored in the EOIR system.

If you have a pending immigration case — or if a family member does — contact us as soon as possible. The earlier we get involved, the more options we have to protect you.

Frequently Asked Questions

My case was at the San Francisco Immigration Court. Where do I go now?

The San Francisco Immigration Court has closed. All cases previously assigned there have been transferred to the Concord Immigration Court. If you have not yet confirmed your new court location and hearing date, check the EOIR portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov or call 1-800-898-7180 immediately. Do not assume your old SF court date or location is still valid.

My hearing was scheduled for 2028. Could it really have been moved already?

Yes. Reports confirm that courts are specifically targeting hearings scheduled far in the future and moving them up, sometimes by years, with little notice. Check your EOIR portal immediately.

What is EOIR and how do I check my case?

EOIR stands for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the agency that runs U.S. immigration courts. You can check your case at acis.eoir.justice.gov or call the automated hotline at 1-800-898-7180.

I received a form at my hearing called a "Respondent's Pleading Declaration." What should I do?

Do not complete or sign it until you have spoken with an immigration attorney. This form can accelerate your deportation proceedings and limit your ability to challenge the charges against you.

What happens if I miss my hearing?

A judge can issue an in absentia order of removal - meaning you are ordered deported without appearing before a judge. This is difficult to undo. Always attend your hearings, and contact an attorney immediately if you believe you may have missed one.

Is Hafey Karim taking new clients?

Yes. Contact our office to schedule a consultation.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. Please consult a qualified immigration attorney about your individual situation.