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

Maryland has two EOIR immigration courts, both serving the Baltimore DHS District Office. The Baltimore Immigration Court is located in downtown Baltimore. The Hyattsville Immigration Court is in suburban Prince George's County. Both courts serve the same DHS district, so which court handles a specific case depends on case assignment within the Baltimore district. Non-detained respondents living in Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia - all covered by the Baltimore and Philadelphia DHS districts respectively - may have their cases at one of these courts or at the Philadelphia Immigration Court.

This page explains how immigration court works in Maryland, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from start to finish.

Maryland's Two Immigration Courts

Baltimore Immigration Court

Fallon Federal Building

31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 440

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

The Baltimore court covers the Baltimore, Maryland DHS District Office, including sub-offices. It handles both detained and non-detained cases from the Baltimore DHS district.

Hyattsville Immigration Court

3311 Toledo Road, Suite 105

Hyattsville, Maryland 20782

The Hyattsville court also covers the Baltimore, Maryland DHS District Office, including sub-offices. It operates as a second court within the same DHS district, handling overflow and additional caseload from the Baltimore district.

Both courts serve the same geographic area and DHS district. The hearing notice will specify which court has been assigned to a specific case. Always use the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 to confirm the controlling court before filing documents or traveling to a hearing.

Note on Delaware and West Virginia: The Philadelphia Immigration Court covers the Philadelphia DHS District Office including West Virginia and Delaware. Maryland residents whose cases were issued by the Baltimore DHS district appear at the Baltimore or Hyattsville courts; residents of Delaware or West Virginia appear at the Philadelphia court.

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 Maryland detainees, bond hearings are handled by whichever Baltimore district court - Baltimore or Hyattsville - controls the case. Confirm via ACIS at 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. Maryland falls within the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. A petition for review must be filed in the Fourth 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

Baltimore Immigration Court: Fallon Federal Building, 31 Hopkins Plaza, Room 440, Baltimore, MD 21201

Hyattsville Immigration Court: 3311 Toledo Road, Suite 105, Hyattsville, MD 20782

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 Maryland, the InmateAid guide to ICE detention in Maryland covers the Howard County Detention Center in Jessup and the status of ICE operations in the state, including how to locate a detained person, visiting, phone, and money access. Note that in-person visits at the Howard County facility were suspended April 20 through June 30, 2026 for lobby renovation - verify current status before visiting.

Legal Resources for Maryland Respondents

CASA de Maryland - wearecasa.org | 240-491-5743 - One of the region's leading immigrant advocacy organizations, with immigration legal services in multiple Maryland locations including Langley Park, Gaithersburg, Baltimore, and Riverdale.

Maryland Legal Aid - mdlab.org | 410-539-5340 - Free civil legal services for low-income Maryland residents including immigration matters. Multiple offices statewide.

International Rescue Committee Baltimore - rescue.org | 443-703-3830 - Immigration legal services in the Baltimore area.

Catholic Charities of Baltimore - catholiccharities-md.org | 410-547-5490 - Immigration legal services across Maryland.

CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Catholic Legal Immigration Network accredited organizations in Maryland. 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 the Baltimore and Hyattsville 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 Maryland. 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.