Virginia has two EOIR immigration courts, both in Northern Virginia: the Annandale Immigration Court and the Sterling Immigration Court. Both serve the Washington, DC DHS District Office and handle a mix of detained and non-detained cases from the greater DC region, which includes Northern Virginia, Maryland's DC suburbs, and Washington DC itself. Virginia has several county jails that hold ICE detainees, primarily in Northern Virginia.
This page explains how immigration court works in Virginia, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from start to finish.
Virginia's Two Immigration Courts
Annandale Immigration Court
7130 Glen Forest Drive, Suite 200
Annandale, Virginia 22003
The Annandale court covers the Washington DC DHS District Office, including sub-offices in Virginia. It handles both detained and non-detained cases. Detention facilities under Annandale court jurisdiction include Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, Virginia; Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green; Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren Regional Jail in Front Royal; and several Northern Virginia county facilities.
Sterling Immigration Court
22685 Holiday Park Drive, Suite 1
Sterling, Virginia 20166
The Sterling court also covers the Washington DC DHS District Office, including sub-offices. It operates as a second court within the same DHS district, handling additional caseload. Sterling has jurisdiction over several Northern Virginia detention facilities including the Arlington County Detention Facility, Prince William-Manassas Adult Detention Center, and Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
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. Use Form EOIR-33 to update the court and separately notify DHS OPLA 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.
Step three: The Individual Hearing
After master calendar, the case moves to an individual hearing, also called a merits hearing. The immigration judge hears testimony, receives evidence, and may question the respondent and witnesses. Common forms of relief include asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and voluntary departure.
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. Not all detained respondents are eligible for a standard bond hearing. Those subject to mandatory detention under federal law may seek release through the federal courts via a habeas corpus petition.
For Virginia detained respondents, the bond posting location depends on the DHS field office. The Washington DC Field Office handles bond for Virginia detainees. Contact the Washington DC Field Office to confirm location and hours.
Step five: The Decision and Appeal
After the individual hearing, the immigration judge issues a written decision. If removal is ordered, the respondent has the right to appeal to the BIA within 30 calendar days. Virginia falls within the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Virginia, Maryland, 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. Online: acis.eoir.justice.gov
Annandale Immigration Court: 7130 Glen Forest Drive, Suite 200, Annandale, Virginia 22003
Sterling Immigration Court: 22685 Holiday Park Drive, Suite 1, Sterling, Virginia 20166
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 and has been properly notified, the immigration judge will typically issue an in absentia order of removal. If a hearing has been missed, contact an immigration attorney immediately.
How Detention Connects to the Court Process
For families with a detained loved one in Virginia, use locator.ice.gov to identify the specific facility. Northern Virginia county jails including Prince William-Manassas, Arlington, and Fairfax County are the primary short-term holding facilities. Farmville Detention Center in central Virginia and Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green handle longer-term detention.
Legal Resources for Virginia Respondents
Legal Aid Justice Center - justice4all.org | 434-977-0553 - Statewide immigration legal services for low-income Virginians. Multiple offices including Charlottesville, Falls Church, and Richmond.
CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Catholic Legal Immigration Network accredited organizations in Virginia. Search by ZIP code.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington - ccda.net | 703-841-3830 - Immigration legal services in Northern Virginia.
CAIR Coalition - caircoalition.org | 202-331-3320 - Provides free legal services to detained immigrants in the DC region including Virginia facilities.
EOIR Free Legal Services List - justice.gov/eoir/free-legal-services-providers - Lists attorneys and organizations for the Annandale and Sterling immigration courts.
This page provides factual information about the immigration court process as it applies to Virginia. It is not legal advice. Information reflects conditions as of June 2026.