Immigration courts in Alabama

Immigration Courts are part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) within Department of Justice. They handle:

  • Removal proceedings (deportation cases)
  • Defensive asylum (when in removal)
  • Cancellation of removal
  • Review of DHS credible-fear and reasonable-fear decisions
  • Bond hearings (for detained)

Courts serving Alabama

Alabama does not have its own EOIR Immigration Court. For cases started by the DHS office that covers Alabama, two primary sources point to the New Orleans court:

  • ICE’s field-office directory lists the ERO New Orleans Field Office’s area of responsibility as “Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee.” The ERO Atlanta Field Office covers Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
  • EOIR’s Immigration Court List – Administrative Control (updated October 1, 2026) assigns the “New Orleans, LA - DHS District Office (including any sub-offices except Memphis, TN)” to the New Orleans Immigration Court (One Canal Place, 365 Canal Street, Suite 500, New Orleans, LA 70130). The Atlanta courts are assigned the Atlanta DHS district office.
  • The same list also names Alabama detention sites under other courts: the Atlanta Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court’s assigned responsibility includes “FCA Aliceville” and the “Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Detention Facility,” and the Oakdale Immigration Court lists “Etowah Detention Facility Gadson, Alabama.”

That list decides which court “creates and maintains records of proceedings” — it does not, by itself, tell you where your hearing is. Detained cases follow the detention facility, and the court named on your Notice to Appear or hearing notice is the one that counts. Confirm your court and hearing date with EOIR’s automated line 1-800-898-7180.

What to expect at first hearing (Master Calendar Hearing)

  1. Arrive early (security takes time)
  2. Bring full file and ID
  3. If no attorney: judge will ask how you’ll proceed. Can continue the case to give you time to find legal representation; EOIR publishes no standard length for that continuance.
  4. If you have attorney: attorney speaks for you in most proceedings.
  5. Don’t go ahead without an interpreter if you need one: the court provides a free interpreter if your English is not strong enough to fully understand and take part in the hearing.

If detained

  • Visit detained person ASAP: detention center rules apply
  • Pay bond if eligible: a delivery bond is at least $1,500 under 8 U.S.C. §1226(a)(2)(A); that is a floor and the statute sets no maximum — see immigration bonds
  • Find representation immediately: detained cases have shorter deadlines

How to find pro bono or low-cost attorney in Alabama

See: Legal aid in Alabama

Official source: EOIR Immigration Court Listings

Last verified: 2026-10-07.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

EOIR case context (2025-2026)

Key lines stay here: hearing dates via the EOIR automated line 1-800-898-7180 (24/7, English/Spanish); H.R.1 / OBBBA fees apply to EOIR filings postmarked on or after 2026-02-01 (FR 2026-01012), and DOJ’s own EOIR fee rule took effect 2026-06-11 (FR 2026-11692); FY2027 amounts apply to filings on or after 2026-10-01 (FR 2026-17146) — verify at justice.gov/eoir before filing. The national EOIR context — the pending-caseload figure from EOIR’s own statistics, the H.R.1 / OBBBA court fees, the 1996 laws and key Supreme Court rulings, and the hearing hotline and free-representation contacts — is maintained once, on the immigration courts by state hub.