Arizona has four EOIR immigration courts, more than most states, reflecting the state's significant role in immigration enforcement and detention. The courts are located in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson. Each court serves a specific set of detention facilities and DHS sub-offices. Which court handles a specific case depends on where the person was arrested, where they are detained, and whether they are on the detained or non-detained docket.
This page explains how immigration court works in Arizona, which court handles which cases, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from the Notice to Appear through appeal.
Arizona's Four Immigration Courts
Phoenix Immigration Court
250 N. Seventh Avenue, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85007
The Phoenix court has jurisdiction over the Phoenix DHS District Office, including sub-offices except San Luis (the port of entry) and Tucson. It also covers the Arizona Department of Corrections facilities at Perryville in Goodyear and Phoenix West, which hold immigration detainees through in-house programs. Non-detained respondents whose cases originate from the Phoenix DHS district appear before the Phoenix court.
Tucson Immigration Court
300 West Congress, Suite 300, Tucson, AZ 85701
The Tucson court covers the Tucson DHS sub-office and the Arizona Department of Corrections Tucson facility. Respondents arrested through the Tucson sub-office area and detainees at the Tucson state prison immigration facility appear here.
Eloy Immigration Court
Eloy Detention Center
1705 East Hanna Road, Suite 366, Eloy, AZ 85131
The Eloy court operates inside the Eloy Detention Center and serves detainees held there. It also covers the Saguaro Correctional Facility, with La Palma Correctional Center as an additional hearing location. Hearings at Eloy are conducted at the detention facility itself or by video teleconference.
Florence Immigration Court
Florence Service Processing Center
3260 North Pinal Parkway Avenue, Florence, AZ 85132
The Florence court operates at the Florence Service Processing Center and serves the Arizona Department of Corrections facilities at Florence, including the Central Arizona Correctional Facility, Eyman State Prison Complex, and Florence West Correction and Rehabilitation Facility. It also covers La Palma Correctional Center and Red Rock Correctional Center in Eloy.
Email for general Arizona court inquiries: contact information for each court is available through the EOIR court finder at justice.gov/eoir/find-immigration-court-and-access-internet-based-hearings.
Always confirm which court has jurisdiction over a specific case using the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 or through the hearing notice.
How Immigration Court Differs From Criminal Court
Immigration court is a civil proceeding, not a criminal one. Removal proceedings take place before an immigration judge employed by the Department of Justice through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The government is represented by a DHS attorney from the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). The person in proceedings is called the respondent.
Being in removal proceedings is not a criminal charge and does not result in a criminal sentence. The outcome is either a grant of relief that allows the person to remain in the United States in some legal status, or a removal order directing them to leave. There is no jury. There is no public defender equivalent.
The respondent has the right to be represented by an attorney at their own expense. There is no right to a government-appointed attorney in immigration court, except in narrow circumstances involving serious mental competency concerns. Not having a free attorney does not mean going without legal help. Legal aid organizations and nonprofits provide free or reduced-cost representation. Resources are listed at the end of this page.
A word on notario fraud: in many countries, a notario publico is a licensed legal professional. In the United States, that title carries no equivalent legal standing. Notarios, immigration consultants, and non-lawyers cannot represent people in immigration court and cannot legally provide immigration advice. Verify credentials before paying for any help. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can appear in immigration court on someone's behalf.
The Removal Proceeding: Step by Step
Step one: The Notice to Appear
A removal proceeding begins when DHS issues a Notice to Appear (NTA). This is the charging document in immigration court. It states the government's position that the person is removable, identifies the legal basis, and directs the person to appear. The NTA may or may not include a hearing date when served. If it does not, a separate hearing notice will arrive by mail.
Keeping the court and DHS informed of any address change is required by law. If a hearing notice goes to an old address and the respondent does not appear, the immigration judge can issue an in absentia removal order. That order is very difficult to undo. Use Form EOIR-33 to update the court and separately notify DHS OPLA. Both must be done within five days of any move.
Step two: The Master Calendar Hearing
The first court appearance is a master calendar hearing. These are short administrative sessions where the immigration judge manages the case, confirms the respondent's rights, asks about legal representation, and sets the schedule. Multiple cases are typically heard in the same session.
At master calendar, the respondent enters a plea to the NTA charges, identifies forms of relief they intend to seek, and establishes a timeline for filing applications and evidence. If there is no attorney at the first hearing, the judge can generally allow additional time to find one.
Step three: The Individual Hearing
After master calendar, the case moves to an individual hearing, also called a merits hearing. This is the full evidentiary proceeding where the respondent presents their case for relief. The judge hears testimony, receives evidence, and may question the respondent and witnesses. The DHS trial attorney presents the government's case. The judge then issues a decision.
Common forms of relief include asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and voluntary departure. Whether any relief is available depends on the specific facts and immigration history of the case.
Step four: Bond Hearings
If a respondent is detained, they may request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. A bond hearing is separate from the removal hearing. The judge determines whether the respondent should be released pending their case, and at what bond amount, based on flight risk and danger to the community.
Not all detained respondents are eligible for a standard bond hearing. Those subject to mandatory detention under federal law do not have that right before an immigration judge. They may seek release through the federal courts via a habeas corpus petition.
For respondents detained at Eloy Detention Center, bond hearings are handled by the Eloy Immigration Court at the facility. For detainees at Florence Service Processing Center, bond hearings are handled by the Florence Immigration Court. For detainees at other Arizona facilities, check the hearing notice or call 800-898-7180.
Step five: The Decision and Appeal
After the individual hearing, the immigration judge issues a written decision. If relief is granted, the respondent may remain in the United States under the granted status. If removal is ordered, the respondent has the right to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) in Falls Church, Virginia.
A BIA appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days of the immigration judge's decision. Missing that deadline forfeits the right to appeal.
If the BIA affirms the removal order, the respondent may seek review in the federal circuit court. Arizona falls within the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A petition for review must be filed in the Ninth Circuit within 30 days of the BIA's order.
How to Find Hearing Information
EOIR Automated Case Information System: 800-898-7180 (English and Spanish; TDD: 800-828-1120). Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Online: acis.eoir.justice.gov
The A-Number (Alien Registration Number) is required to look up case information. It appears on immigration documents and on any EOIR hearing notice.
EOIR court finder by ZIP code: justice.gov/eoir/find-immigration-court-and-access-internet-based-hearings
Phoenix Immigration Court: 250 N. Seventh Avenue, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Tucson Immigration Court: 300 West Congress, Suite 300, Tucson, AZ 85701
Eloy Immigration Court: 1705 East Hanna Road, Suite 366, Eloy, AZ 85131 (inside Eloy Detention Center)
Florence Immigration Court: 3260 North Pinal Parkway Avenue, Florence, AZ 85132 (Florence Service Processing Center)
If You Miss a Hearing
Missing an immigration court hearing is one of the most serious events in a removal case. If a respondent does not appear at a scheduled hearing and has been properly notified, the immigration judge will typically issue an in absentia order of removal.
An in absentia order can sometimes be reopened, but only in limited circumstances: if the respondent did not receive proper notice, or if exceptional circumstances beyond their control prevented attendance. If a hearing has been missed, contact an immigration attorney immediately.
How Detention Connects to the Court Process
Detention and removal proceedings are separate matters. A person can be in removal proceedings without being detained (non-detained docket), or detained while their case moves through court (detained docket). The detained docket generally moves faster.
For families with a detained loved one in Arizona, the InmateAid guide to ICE detention in Arizona covers the Eloy Detention Center, the Florence facility, and other Arizona detention locations, including how to locate a detained person, visiting procedures, phone access, and sending money.
Legal Resources for Arizona Respondents
Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project - firrp.org | 520-868-0191 - Provides free legal services to immigrants detained in Arizona, including the Eloy and Florence facilities. One of the primary legal services organizations for detained immigration cases in Arizona.
International Rescue Committee Phoenix - rescue.org | 602-433-2440 - Immigration legal services in the Phoenix area.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Phoenix - catholiccharitiesaz.org | 602-285-1999 - Immigration legal services statewide.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Tucson - diocesetucson.org | 520-623-0344 - Immigration legal services in southern Arizona.
Southern Arizona Legal Aid - sazlegalaid.org | 520-623-9465 - Free civil legal services in southern Arizona including immigration matters.
CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Catholic Legal Immigration Network affiliates in Arizona. Search by ZIP code.
EOIR Free Legal Services List - justice.gov/eoir/free-legal-services-providers - Lists attorneys and organizations providing free or low-cost representation for each Arizona immigration court.
Immigration Court Online Resource (ICOR) - Available through the EOIR website - Self-help materials for respondents navigating proceedings without an attorney.
This page provides factual information about the immigration court process as it applies to Arizona. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law is complex and individual circumstances vary significantly. Consult a licensed immigration attorney or DOJ-accredited representative for advice specific to your situation.
Immigration law and agency policy change. Court jurisdictions, hearing locations, and procedures are subject to change without notice. Always verify current court information using the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 or at justice.gov/eoir. The information on this page reflects conditions as of June 2026.
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