Locating a Family Member's Court Date After Release From Prison
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Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed May 18, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
My brother did 9 years in prison and on his release date I’ve picked him up I’m trying to figure out when his court date is….
Attorney Answer
If your brother has a scheduled hearing before the immigration court, missing it can result in an order of removal issued in his absence — so confirming the date is urgent, not merely convenient.
Under federal immigration law, a noncitizen who has received proper written notice of a removal hearing but fails to appear can be ordered removed in absentia if the government shows notice was given and that he is removable (Immigration and Nationality Act § 240(b)(5)). This is a federal rule that applies the same way nationwide — it does not depend on California law.
What you can do:
1. Call the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) automated case hotline at 1-[phone withheld] and enter his alien registration number to hear his next scheduled hearing date and location.
2. Check the EOIR online case-status lookup using the same number.
3. Carefully review any paperwork he received upon release, or that may arrive by mail afterward — a notice to appear or hearing notice lists the date, time, and courtroom.
4. Once you find a hearing date, treat it as fixed and make sure he appears, or has representation arranged, well beforehand.
⏱ Time limits apply. Missing a scheduled hearing can lead to an in absentia removal order under federal law. Confirm his hearing date as soon as possible, and have a local immigration attorney review his case promptly to make sure no deadline is missed.
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Federal Immigration Resources
- Visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to check case status, forms, and official immigration guidance.
- Visit Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) to find immigration court information and hearing details.
- Visit ImmigrationLawHelp.org to find nonprofit immigration legal-service providers near you.
- Use the LSC — Find Legal Aid to find a local legal-aid office by ZIP code.
- Use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to get matched with a local attorney through your state bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can someone find out if they have an upcoming immigration hearing?
Generally, the federal automated case hotline and online case-status lookup allow a person to check hearing dates using their alien registration number.
What happens if someone misses a scheduled immigration hearing?
Under federal law, missing a hearing after proper notice can result in an order of removal being issued in the person's absence.
What should someone do after finding a hearing notice among personal papers?
Generally, they should treat the date as fixed, confirm it through official channels, and arrange legal representation well before the hearing.
