Otay Mesa Immigration Court

The Otay Mesa Immigration Court is part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) within the U.S. Department of Justice. It handles removal (deportation) proceedings, defensive asylum, cancellation of removal, and bond hearings for people in California.

This is general information, not legal advice. Immigration court is complex and the stakes are high — consult a licensed immigration attorney about your case.

Court location and contact

City: San Diego, CA 92154

Phone: 619-661-5600

Official EOIR page: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/otay-mesa-immigration-court

⚠️ This court is located inside or next to an ICE detention facility. If your family member is detained, see how to find a detained person and the detention-specific guidance.

How to check your hearing date and case status

You are responsible for knowing your hearing date — the court does not call to remind you.

Judges assigned to the Otay Mesa court and their internet-based (WebEx) hearing links and telephonic access codes. Confirm your hearing format on your notice — do not assume a remote hearing.

Immigration judgeRemote hearing linkTelephonic access code
ACIJ Julie Nelson (JLN)Join199 628 9309
Eugene Robinson (EHR)Join199 779 2876
Mark Sameit (MST)Join2760 074 0858
Nickolaus SchlegelJoin2823 643 4017

Important: If you don’t have a representative of record, your default hearing medium is in-person regardless of any link above. Photographing or recording any part of an internet-based hearing is strictly prohibited.

If you miss your hearing

Missing an immigration court hearing is serious. The judge can order you removed in absentia under INA § 240(b)(5)(A) — a deportation order issued without you present. If this happens you may file a Motion to Reopen, but the deadlines are strict. Always keep your address current with the court using Form EOIR-33/IC so you actually receive your notices.

You are not given a free attorney

Immigration court is not like criminal court — the government does not appoint you a free lawyer. You may hire one or seek free/low-cost help:

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) publishes a List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers. The edition we read on October 20, 2026 is marked Updated October 2026 and lists the providers below under the heading Otay Mesa Immigration Court (Otay Mesa, California). EOIR’s list page says the List contains non-profit organizations and attorneys who have committed to providing at least 50 hours per year of pro bono legal services before the immigration court location where they appear on the List, plus pro bono referral services; EOIR publishes it quarterly (January, April, July, and October).

EOIR’s markers: * Non-Profit Organization, ** Referral Service, *** Private Attorney. This court’s section of the October 2026 edition has no *** entries. That edition has no separate Juvenile Docket section for this court. Names, addresses, phone numbers and emails are copied exactly as EOIR prints them.

EOIR’s disclaimer (verbatim): “EOIR does not endorse any of these organizations, referral services, or attorneys. In addition, EOIR does not participate in, nor is it responsible for, the representation decisions or performance of these organizations, referral services, or attorneys.” Source: EOIR, List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (page updated September 24, 2026; read October 20, 2026). None of these links or listings is paid, and this site earns no commission from them.

Jewish Family Service of San Diego

  • Type: Non-profit organization (EOIR marker *)
  • Address: 8788 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
  • Phone: (858) 637-3365
  • Fax: (858) 637-3011
  • Email: immigration@jfssd.org
  • Website (as printed by EOIR): www.jfssd.org/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_refugee_main
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Please leave a voicemail any time day or night. Calls returned in the order received. If currently detained and you reach our voicemail, leave your full name and A-number in a voicemail and we will schedule a meeting in person or remote.”
    • “Specialize in Bond Hearings, Removal Defense, Cancellation of Removal, Asylum, Withholding of Removal, UN Convention Against Torture, Adjustment of Status, VAWA, U Visa, SIJS and T visa.”
    • “Languages: Spanish and multilingual interpretation may be available”

International Institute of Los Angeles

  • Type: Non-profit organization (EOIR marker *)
  • Address: 3845 Selig Place, Los Angeles, CA 90031
  • Phone: (323) 264-6217
  • Fax: (323) 264-6418
  • Email: ireception@iilosangeles.org
  • Website (as printed by EOIR): www.iilosangeles.org
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Open Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5PM”
    • “Services include removal defense, habeas petitions and bond representation”
    • “No walk-ins”
    • “By appointment only (solo con cita)”
    • “Languages: English and Spanish, other languages available upon request”

ABA Commission on Immigration Detention Information Hotline

  • Type: Referral service (EOIR marker **)
  • Address: 1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Unit 400, Washington, DC 20036
  • Email: immcenter@americanbar.org
  • Website (as printed by EOIR): www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Pro se case assistance for detained respondents only”
    • “Respondents detained at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities should contact our speed dial at 2150#”
    • “To contact on behalf of an individual detained by ICE or BOP, email immcenter@americanbar.org”
    • “Respondents detained at Department of Defense (DOD) military facilities (including Guantanamo) should contact our toll-free hotline at 1 (855) 641-6081”

Casa Cornelia Law Center

  • Type: Non-profit organization (EOIR marker *)
  • Address: Post Office Box 12666, San Diego, CA 92112
  • Phone: (619) 231-7788
  • Fax: (619) 231-7784
  • Website (as printed by EOIR): www.casacornelia.org
  • Email: services@casacornelia.org
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Services include: Asylum, Withholding of Removal, UN Convention Against Torture, Defensive VAWA, U, T Visas, and SIJS, Bond Hearings.”
    • “Focus on asylum seekers, and victims of serious crime.”
    • “Will accept detained cases”
    • “Call for assistance”
    • “Languages: Spanish; multilingual interpretation may be available.”

Immigrant Defenders Law Center

  • Type: Non-profit organization (EOIR marker *)
  • Address: 1620 Fifth Avenue, Suite 825, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Phone: (213) 314-0701
  • Fax: (213) 282-3133
  • Email: sdinfo@immdef.org
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Must be low income”
    • “No walk-ins, appointment only”
    • “Languages: Spanish and other languages available upon request”

Human Rights First

  • Type: Referral service (EOIR marker **)
  • Address: 3680 Wilshire Blvd., Suite PO4-414, Los Angeles, CA 90010
  • Phone: (212) 845-5200
  • Fax: (202) 217-2661
  • Email: laprobono@humanrightsfirst.org
  • Website (as printed by EOIR): www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum-and-fefugee-representation#rep-contact
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Represents indigent individuals and families seeking asylum”
    • “No walk-ins”
    • “To request assistance, please call our office at (212) 845-5200 and leave a voice message. You may also send us an email at laprobono@humanrightsfirst.org. Please include your contact information and a brief message describing the circumstances of your case. A staff member will contact you to schedule a screening.”
    • “Languages: Spanish and others as needed”

Southern California Immigration Project

  • Type: Non-profit organization (EOIR marker *)
  • Address: 2534 State Street, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Phone: (619) 516-8119
  • Email: socalimmigrationp@gmail.com
  • Website (as printed by EOIR): www.socalimmigrationproject.org
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Specialize in African countries and LGBTQ from any country”
    • “Asylum cases only”
    • “No hablamos español”

Immigrant Rights Legal Defense Program (IRLDP) - San Diego County Public Defender

  • Type: Non-profit organization (EOIR marker *)
  • Address: 451 A Street, Suite 1450, San Diego, CA 92101
  • Phone: (619) 446-2883
  • Email: oac@sdcounty.ca.gov
  • Notes EOIR prints:
    • “Removal defense cases only”

EOIR’s full list (PDF): List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers.

Last verified: 2026-10-20 against the justice.gov EOIR court listing. General procedural information — not legal advice.