The Maine Immigration Court Process: What Detained Immigrants and Families Need to Know

Maine does not have its own EOIR immigration court. Immigration cases for Maine respondents are split between two Massachusetts courts depending on whether the person is detained and their case type. Detained respondents from Maine facilities are handled by the Chelmsford Immigration Court in Massachusetts, which specifically lists Cumberland County Jail and Two Bridges Regional Jail in Maine as facilities under its jurisdiction. Non-detained cases from the Boston DHS District Office, which covers Maine, appear before either the Boston or Chelmsford court depending on case type.

This page explains which court handles Maine cases, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from start to finish.

Which Court Handles Maine Immigration Cases

Chelmsford Immigration Court (detained Maine cases and some non-detained):

150 Apollo Drive, Suite 100

Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824

The Chelmsford court explicitly covers Maine facilities: Cumberland County Jail and Two Bridges Regional Jail. It also covers the Boston DHS District Office including sub-offices, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island, Strafford County House of Corrections in New Hampshire, Rockingham County Department of Corrections in Brentwood, New Hampshire, Hillsborough County Department of Corrections in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire. The Chelmsford court designates hearing dockets specifically for Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont detained cases.

Boston Immigration Court (non-detained Boston-district cases):

John F. Kennedy Federal Building

15 New Sudbury Street, Room 320

Boston, Massachusetts 02203

The Boston court handles non-detained respondents whose cases originate from the Boston DHS District Office, which covers all of New England. Maine residents with non-detained cases may appear before the Boston court.

Always use the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 or the hearing notice to confirm which court 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 Maine detainees at Cumberland County Jail or Two Bridges Regional Jail, bond hearings are handled by the Chelmsford Immigration Court.

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. Maine falls within the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico. A petition for review must be filed in the First 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

Chelmsford Immigration Court (Maine detained cases): 150 Apollo Drive, Suite 100, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824

Boston Immigration Court (Maine non-detained cases): 15 New Sudbury Street, Room 320, Boston, Massachusetts 02203

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 Maine, use the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 and the ICE detainee locator at locator.ice.gov to determine where the person is held. Cumberland County Jail in Portland and Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset are the confirmed Maine detention facilities under Chelmsford court jurisdiction.

Legal Resources for Maine Respondents

Pine Tree Legal Assistance - ptla.org | 207-774-8211 - Free civil legal services for low-income Maine residents including immigration matters. Offices in Portland, Bangor, Lewiston, Presque Isle, and Augusta.

Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) - ilapmaine.org | 207-780-1593 | Portland - Primary immigration legal services organization in Maine. Provides direct representation and Know Your Rights education.

Catholic Charities Maine - ccmaine.org | 207-523-1900 - Immigration legal services statewide.

CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Catholic Legal Immigration Network accredited organizations in Maine. Search by ZIP code.

PAIR Project - pairproject.org | 617-742-9296 | Boston - Provides legal services for detained immigrants in New England including Maine detainees at Chelmsford court.

EOIR Free Legal Services List - justice.gov/eoir/free-legal-services-providers - Lists attorneys and organizations providing free or low-cost representation for the Chelmsford and Boston immigration courts.

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 Maine. 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.