Washington state has two EOIR immigration courts. The Seattle Immigration Court handles non-detained cases from the Seattle DHS District Office. The Tacoma Immigration Court operates at the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) in Tacoma - one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the Pacific Northwest - and handles detained cases from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. Together these two courts cover a massive seven-state Pacific Northwest and Alaska region.
This page explains how immigration court works in Washington, which court handles which cases, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from start to finish.
Washington's Two Immigration Courts
Seattle Immigration Court
1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2900
Seattle, Washington 98104
The Seattle court covers the Seattle DHS District Office, including sub-offices, for non-detained respondents. Non-detained Washington state residents whose cases originate from the Seattle DHS district appear here.
Tacoma Immigration Court
Northwest ICE Processing Center
1623 East J Street, Suite 3
Tacoma, Washington 98421
The Tacoma court operates inside NWIPC in Tacoma. It covers detained cases from the Seattle DHS District Office including sub-offices, Alaska DOC, Idaho DOC, Montana DOC, Eastern Oregon Corrections in Pendleton, Marion County Correctional Facility in Oregon, and Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. The primary NWIPC facility is also at 1623 East J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421 | 253-779-6000. Visiting is open every day including federal holidays, organized by even/odd date and classification level.
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 may seek release through the federal courts via a habeas corpus petition.
For NWIPC Tacoma detainees, bond hearings go through the Tacoma Immigration Court. Seattle ERO (12500 SE 2nd Circle, Suite 100, Vancouver, WA 98684 | 206-835-0650) handles bond posting.
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. Washington falls within the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. A petition for review must be filed in the Ninth 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
Seattle Immigration Court (non-detained): 1000 Second Avenue, Suite 2900, Seattle, WA 98104
Tacoma Immigration Court (detained): 1623 East J Street, Suite 3, Tacoma, WA 98421
NWIPC: 1623 East J Street, Tacoma, WA 98421 | 253-779-6000
Legal Resources for Washington Respondents
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) - nwirp.org | 206-587-4009 | Seattle - Primary immigration legal services organization for detained immigrants at NWIPC Tacoma and non-detained Washington state respondents. First call for Washington immigration legal help.
CLINIC Affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Search by ZIP code.
Catholic Community Services of Western Washington - ccsww.org | 206-323-6336 - Immigration legal services statewide.
EOIR Free Legal Services List - justice.gov/eoir/free-legal-services-providers
This page provides factual information about the immigration court process as it applies to Washington state. It is not legal advice. Information reflects conditions as of June 2026.