Ohio has one EOIR immigration court, located in Cleveland. The Cleveland Immigration Court covers the Detroit DHS District's Ohio sub-office and has jurisdiction over all six Ohio ICE detention facilities: Butler County Jail in Hamilton, Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio in Stryker, Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown, Mahoning County Justice Center in Youngstown, Seneca County Jail in Tiffin, and Geauga County Safety Center in Chardon. Ohio enforcement intensified significantly in late 2025, with Operation Buckeye resulting in more than 280 central Ohio arrests in a single week in December 2025.
This page explains how immigration court works in Ohio, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from start to finish.
The Cleveland Immigration Court
Cleveland Immigration Court
Anthony J. Celebrezze Federal Building
1240 East 9th Street, Room 501-C
Cleveland, Ohio 44199
The Cleveland court covers the Cleveland, Ohio DHS sub-office (part of the Detroit DHS District). It has jurisdiction over all six confirmed Ohio ICE detention facilities and handles both detained and non-detained Ohio cases. The Cleveland court is also the controlling court for Geauga County Safety Center in Chardon, Mahoning County Justice Center in Youngstown, and Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown. Additional hearing locations include several of these county facilities where hearings may be conducted by video teleconference.
Always use the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 or the hearing notice to confirm which facility and hearing format applies to 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. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in May 2026 that mandatory detention for certain interior detainees is unconstitutional - contact an immigration attorney immediately to determine whether this ruling applies to a specific case.
For detained respondents in any Ohio facility, bond hearings are handled by the Cleveland 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. Ohio falls within the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee. A petition for review must be filed in the Sixth 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
Cleveland Immigration Court: 1240 East 9th Street, Room 501-C, Cleveland, Ohio 44199
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. Butler County Jail in Hamilton was reported as overcrowded after Operation Buckeye in December 2025.
For families with a detained loved one in Ohio, the InmateAid guide to ICE detention in Ohio covers all six facilities - Butler County (Hamilton), CCNO (Stryker), NE Ohio Correctional Center (Youngstown), Mahoning County Justice Center (Youngstown), Seneca County Jail (Tiffin), and Geauga County Safety Center (Chardon) - including how to locate a detained person, visiting, phone, and money access.
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) provides free legal calls from inside Northeast Ohio Correctional Center in Youngstown. Detainees there can call MIRC directly at 269-492-7196.
Legal Resources for Ohio Respondents
Ohio Immigrant Alliance - ohioimmigrant.org | 614-340-7430 | Columbus - Primary statewide immigrant advocacy and legal referral organization. Tracked Operation Buckeye arrests. First call for Ohio immigration legal help.
ACLU of Ohio - acluohio.org | 614-228-8090 - Filed lawsuit over Operation Buckeye warrantless arrests in March 2026. Monitors ICE enforcement and detention statewide.
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) - michiganimmigrant.org | 269-492-7196 - Free legal calls from inside Northeast Ohio Correctional Center (Youngstown).
Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) - crisohio.org | 614-882-7060 | Columbus - Immigration legal services in central Ohio.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Columbus - columbuscatholic.org | 614-221-5891 - Immigration legal services in central Ohio.
CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Catholic Legal Immigration Network accredited organizations in Ohio. 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 Cleveland 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 Ohio. 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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