Overview:
This step-by-step guide from Documented explains how immigrants can request a remote court hearing if they fear appearing in person due to ICE presence. It includes instructions for submitting a motion, who to contact, and what details to include.
This article was originally published by Documented, an independent, non-profit newsroom dedicated to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York City. The original article can be accessed here.
What to know about attending your immigration court hearing online:
- You may be able to attend your immigration hearing remotely by phone or video, but you need to act fast.
- You’ll need to know your A-number and the court location handling your case.
- To request a remote hearing, submit a written motion to the court before your hearing date, that explains your reasons why you can’t attend in-person — like fear of ICE presence.
- Confirm everything ahead of time by calling the court. If approved, they’ll give you the phone number or video link so you don’t miss your hearing.
We’ve been hearing from many community members who are scared to attend their immigration court hearings in person because of the ICE raids happening outside courthouses. If you’re worried about this, know that you may be able to attend your court hearing online, by phone or video, instead of going in person.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can do it and still make sure your case stays on track.
This information is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney or accredited representative. The content was last updated July 2025.
Check if you’re eligible for a remote hearing
Not all immigration judges allow remote appearances, but many do.
Look at your hearing notice (Form I-862), or go to the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) site to check your case. Immigration court hearings can sometimes occur online, rather than in person. An “internet-based” hearing status indicates your hearing will be online.
Also Read: Fake Immigration Courts Take Advantage of Immigrants Desperate for Answers
If you are unsure whether your hearing will be held in person or online, contact the immigration court handling your case. Here’s a list of all the immigration courts around the U.S., judge names, contact numbers and links to request an online hearing court.
For New Yorkers specifically, you can scroll down the page to find the information for the Federal Plaza Immigration Court (26 Federal Plaza), Broadway Immigration Court (290 Broadway) and Varick Immigration Court (201 Varick Street) in NYC.
You can also call the EOIR Hotline at 1-800-898-7180 and enter your A-number to get your next court date and location.
Request a remote hearing as soon as possible
If your court hearing is scheduled to be in person, you can request that it be online, however that request may be denied.
Important: You may not hear back before the date of your original court hearing regarding your request. If you don’t receive clear confirmation from the court about a virtual hearing, the court requires that you appear in person. If you don’t, you risk being removed in absentia and deported.
Being granted a virtual immigration court hearing depends on several factors: the court’s location, your assigned judge, your reasons for the request, and whether you have legal representation.
To request a virtual hearing, you can either call the immigration court or submit a written request. Here are the general phone numbers for immigration courts in NYC:
- Broadway Immigration Court : 212-240-4900
- Federal Plaza Immigration Court: 917-454-1040
- Varick Immigration Court: 646-638-5766
If you choose to send a written request you must do so before your hearing date. You can do it by following this template. You don’t need a lawyer to do this, but if you have one, ask for their help.
When writing the request make sure to Include:
- Your full name and A-number
- Date and time of your hearing
- Reason for your request. For example: “fear of ICE presence outside court”
- Your contact information such as phone and/or how you will access the video meeting.
- You can say something like, “Due to credible fear of ICE presence at the courthouse and personal safety concerns, I respectfully request to attend my hearing remotely by telephone or video.”
Other requirements are:
- All information you provide must be in English.
- Print, sign, and date the writing request in two places using a blue or black pen.
- Send a copy of the signed motion to the government lawyer. Their mailing address can be found here under “OPLA Mailing Address.” OPLA stands for Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, which is the legal representation for the Department of Homeland Security.
- Make sure to keep a digital copy for your personal records.
Send your request early, securely — and to the right place
Make sure the court receives your motion before your hearing:
Call the court before your hearing
If you haven’t heard back or haven’t received further instructions, call the court clerk’s hotline to confirm that your motion was accepted. You can reach the hotline at 800-898-7180.
- Ask: “Was my motion to appear by phone or video approved?”
- If yes, ask for the phone number or video link you need to connect to the hearing.
It is always better to have a lawyer for this whole process, in case any questions or obstacles arise. You can get free legal assistance here or call MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers at 800-354-0365 to get free legal help over the phone.
Have more questions about this topic and how it applies to you? Contact a Documented.info expert for free, confidential answers. Learn more here.
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