Louisiana has four EOIR immigration courts - more than most states - reflecting the state's role as a major hub for immigration detention in the South. The courts are in Baton Rouge, Jena (LaSalle), New Orleans, and Oakdale. Together they cover an enormous geographic footprint: Louisiana's own detention facilities, Alabama non-detained cases, Mississippi cases both north and south of Jackson, and Arkansas cases all route through Louisiana courts.
Which court handles a specific case depends on where the person was arrested, which DHS office issued the charging document, and which facility holds a detained respondent. This page explains how to identify the right court, how removal proceedings work, and where to find legal help.
Louisiana's Four Immigration Courts
Baton Rouge Immigration Court
451 Florida Street, Suite 500
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70801
The Baton Rouge court opened in September 2025. It is a newer addition to the Louisiana court system. Verify current jurisdiction assignments and operational status via the EOIR court finder or ACIS at 800-898-7180, as facility assignments for newer courts evolve.
New Orleans Immigration Court
One Canal Place
365 Canal Street, Suite 500
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Email: NewOrleans.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov
The New Orleans court covers the New Orleans DHS District Office, including sub-offices except the Memphis, Tennessee sub-office. This means the New Orleans court handles non-detained cases from Louisiana, Alabama, and other states within the New Orleans DHS district. Non-detained respondents living in Alabama, for example, have their cases at the New Orleans Immigration Court.
LaSalle Immigration Court
830 Pine Hill Road, P.O. Box 2179
Jena, Louisiana 71342
Email: LaSalle.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov
The LaSalle court operates at the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena and handles detained cases from a cluster of central Louisiana and surrounding facilities: Bossier, Richwood, LaSalle Detention Center, River Corrections Center, Adams County, FPM Pollock IHP, and Angola (Louisiana State Penitentiary). Additional hearing locations include River Correctional Facility and Adams County Correctional Facility. Hearings are conducted in person at the facility or by video teleconference.
Oakdale Immigration Court
1900 East Whatley Road
Oakdale, Louisiana 71463
Email: Oakdale.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov
Public hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 4:30 PM; window filing hours 8 AM to 4 PM
The Oakdale court covers a broad set of detention facilities across the region: Jackson Parish, Winnfield, FCO Oakdale IHP, Pine Prairie, Allen Parish, and South Louisiana Correction Center. Additional hearing locations include Etowah Detention Facility in Gadsden, Alabama; Jackson Parish Correctional Center in Jonesboro, Louisiana; South Louisiana Correctional Center; and Federal Detention Center Oakdale 2.
Always use the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 or the hearing notice to confirm which of the four Louisiana courts controls a specific case.
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 appear 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 has no equivalent legal standing. Notarios, immigration consultants, and non-lawyers cannot represent people in immigration court and cannot legally provide immigration advice. Verify any representative's credentials before paying. 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 identifies the grounds for removal and directs the person to appear before an immigration court. 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 order of removal. 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 understands the charges and their rights, asks about legal representation, and sets the schedule. Multiple cases are 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 the respondent does not have an attorney at the first hearing, they can generally ask for 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 from removal. 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 form of relief is available depends on the specific facts and immigration history of each 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 detained respondents in Louisiana, the bond hearing is handled by whichever court controls the case - LaSalle, Oakdale, Baton Rouge, or New Orleans depending on the facility. Use ACIS at 800-898-7180 to confirm.
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. Louisiana falls within the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. A petition for review must be filed in the Fifth 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
Baton Rouge Immigration Court: 451 Florida Street, Suite 500, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
New Orleans Immigration Court: 365 Canal Street, Suite 500, New Orleans, LA 70130 | NewOrleans.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov
LaSalle Immigration Court: 830 Pine Hill Road, P.O. Box 2179, Jena, LA 71342 | LaSalle.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov
Oakdale Immigration Court: 1900 East Whatley Road, Oakdale, LA 71463 | Oakdale.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov | Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM-4:30 PM, filing window 8 AM-4 PM
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. Louisiana's detention facilities are remote - Jena, Oakdale, and Pine Prairie are in rural central Louisiana, far from major cities. Access to legal counsel at these locations is limited.
For families with a detained loved one in Louisiana, the InmateAid guide to ICE detention in Louisiana covers LaSalle, Pine Prairie, River Correctional, South Louisiana Correctional Center, and other facilities, including how to locate a detained person, visiting, phone, and money access.
Legal Resources for Louisiana Respondents
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services - slls.org | 504-529-1000 | New Orleans - Free civil legal services including immigration for low-income Louisiana residents.
Loyola Law School Immigrant Justice Clinic - law.loyno.edu | 504-861-5591 | New Orleans - Law school clinic providing immigration legal services including representation in removal proceedings.
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans - ccano.org | 504-523-3755 - Immigration legal services in the New Orleans area.
CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Catholic Legal Immigration Network accredited organizations in Louisiana. Search by ZIP code.
RAICES - raicestexas.org | 210-222-0964 - Provides legal services for detained immigrants in Louisiana facilities.
EOIR Free Legal Services List - justice.gov/eoir/free-legal-services-providers - Lists attorneys and organizations providing free or low-cost representation for each Louisiana 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 Louisiana. 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.