Call 214-506-0671
What Happens at Your First Deportation Hearing?
Your first hearing in immigration court is called a "master calendar hearing." This hearing is short and is not your trial, but it is very important and you need to be there. Understanding what is going to happen can help you to prepare and feel less nervous.
If you are facing deportation in 2026 and need removal defense, contact our Bay Area immigration attorneys today. We represent immigrants from all over the world and speak Bengali fluently to help South Asian and Muslim families stay together.
What Is a Master Calendar Hearing?
A master calendar hearing is your first time in immigration court. Many people have hearings on the same day. You will wait in the courtroom with other people. The judge will call names one by one.
When the judge calls your name, you stand up. You might go to a table in front of the judge, or you might stay where you are sitting. Different courts work differently.
The hearing usually takes less than 20 minutes. The judge does not make any decisions about your case during the master calendar hearing; they are only setting up your case and making sure you understand the charges against you. You can read more from the U.S. Government’s Executive Office on Immigration Review about master calendar hearings here.
Who Will Be in the Courtroom During a Master Calendar Hearing?
The immigration judge sits at the front of the courtroom. A government attorney will be there as well. This attorney works for the Department of Homeland Security and represents the government, not you. Their job is to argue that you should be removed from the United States.
A court clerk sits near the judge. The clerk helps with paperwork and calling names. An interpreter might be there if you need one. The court provides interpreters for free, so you can ask for an interpreter in your language. Other people waiting for their hearings may also be in the courtroom.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Master Calendar Hearing?
You have the right to have a lawyer and you should absolutely have a lawyer if possible. However, the government does not pay for lawyers in immigration court. You’ll have to find and pay for your own lawyer.
Having a lawyer makes a big difference in the outcome of immigration cases, especially deportation cases. Lawyers know when and how to file papers correctly, they know what to say in court, and they can find ways to help you stay in the United States.
What Questions Will the Judge Ask at a Master Calendar Hearing?
The judge will ask if you understand the charges against you. The charges are written on your notice to appear and explain why the government wants to remove you. For example, common charges include entering without inspection or overstaying a visa.
The judge will ask how you want to respond to the charges and will ask if you want to apply for any relief. "Relief" just means ways to stay in the United States legally. Examples include asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status.
Admitting charges does not mean you must leave. You can still apply for relief to stay, and your lawyer will explain if admitting or denying is better for your case. If the charges against you are wrong, you can deny them. Denying charges makes the process longer but protects your rights if the charges are incorrect.
What Happens After You Tell the Judge You Want Relief in a Master Calendar Hearing?
If you tell the judge you want to apply for relief, such as asylum, the judge will set a deadline for your application. Missing the deadline can permanently hurt your case.
Finally, the judge will schedule your next hearing. This is called an "individual calendar hearing" or "merits hearing." At that hearing, you will present your case for why you should be allowed to stay.
Call a San Francisco, CA Immigration and Asylum Attorney Today
Contact Hafey & Karim at 214-506-0671 to talk with us about your removal defense or asylum case. Our Bay Area asylum lawyers provide services in English and Bengali, with translators available for Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu. We focus on helping South Asian and Muslim clients navigate the immigration system and fight to stay in the United States with their families.
Our firm provides representation for people throughout the United States. From our Concord office, we serve clients in San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael, San Pablo, Richmond, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, San Bruno, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Mountain View, Milpitas, Cupertino, Santa Clara, and Campbell. Additionally, we serve clients in Texas cities including, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Euless, Bedford, Grapevine, Coppell, and Fort Worth.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
