Federal Shutdown Impacts Removal Hearings

The Federal Government’s inability to create a budget has led to a streamlined Federal system during the past two weeks that includes dramatic reductions in the productivity of the Immigration Courts. The Immigration Court in Orlando is currently working with a skeleton crew. Only one Immigration Judge is currently hearing cases. Those cases consist solely of detained immigrants in removal proceedings. All other cases have been delayed until Congress resolves the issue.

Those individuals who have removal hearings pending or have recently received a Notice To Appear will not see any action on their cases until this issue has been resolved by Congress. If you have received a Notice to Appear, you can check to see if a Master Calendar Hearing has been scheduled in your case by calling 1-800-898-7180. This automated system will prompt you for your A number. If you have a pending court date, the system will give you the place, judge, date and time. If your Notice to Appear has not been filed with the Immigration Court yet, you will not appear in the system.

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