Amid growing chaos and uncertainty within the U.S. immigration system, the Department of Justice has moved to dismantle San Francisco’s immigration court infrastructure, transferring most cases and staff to Concord and other nearby locations.
The first major change came May 1, when the immigration court at 100 Montgomery St. abruptly closed. The courthouse had operated for more than three decades, despite its lease running through 2027. The closure was announced by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the federal agency that oversees immigration courts.
Days after the closure, EOIR announced that San Francisco’s remaining immigration court at 630 Sansome St. will operate only as a satellite hearing location under the administrative control of the Concord immigration court beginning Sept. 4, 2026. Most immigration cases are expected to be reassigned nearly 30 miles away at Concord.
In both cases, the Department of Justice has justified the changes as a cost-saving measure.
Immigrant advocates warn the court changes are already causing confusion, with some people arriving at the wrong courthouse or missing hearings entirely. According to a KQED report, missed immigration court appearances recently contributed to a surge in deportation orders: In one week alone, more than 800 people were ordered removed after failing to appear in court.
“They’re sending these notices out so last minute that people are not getting them in time for the hearings,” Millie Atkinson, director of the Immigrant Legal Defense Program at the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco, told El Tecolote.
Missing a hearing can carry severe consequences. “You lose your opportunity to apply for asylum,” Atkinson said. “And it can be very difficult, very expensive to try to get the case reopened by having to hire an attorney and pay all these fees.”
Immediate challenges
Atkinson said the most urgent issue is ensuring immigrants understand the current status and location of their hearings, especially as several problems emerge during the transition:
- Unexpected hearing changes: Some hearings are being rescheduled earlier with little notice. Advocates say some immigrants have already received deportation orders after courts moved hearing dates forward without adequate notification.
- Confusion at San Francisco courthouses: The federal building at 630 Sansome St. houses multiple agencies, including USCIS, ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Advocates say many immigrants arrive confused about where to go and, without enough guidance from security personnel, sometimes wait in the wrong line and miss their hearings.
- Staff shortages and delays: Only two immigration judges remain in San Francisco, creating frequent case rescheduling. Advocates expect the transfer of cases to Concord to significantly increase existing backlogs.
What immigrants should do now
If you are currently involved in an immigration case, advocates recommend taking the following steps:
- Check your hearing: Use the Automated Case Information System to verify the date and location of your next hearing. You will need your A-number.
- Update your information: Make sure immigration courts have your current contact information so you can receive updates about your case.
Available resources
Immigrants do not have to navigate the court process alone. Atkinson recommends seeking support from organizations like Faith in Action, which offers court accompaniment through trained volunteers. Volunteers can meet immigrants at a BART station or accompany them to court hearings.
Those seeking accompaniment for immigration appointments in San Francisco can contact Faith in Action’s community response hotline at (203) 666-4472.
If you are concerned about ICE presence or the risk of arrest at immigration court, advocates note that ICE is prohibited from carrying out arrests inside immigration hearings. Volunteers are also trained to activate rapid response networks during emergencies.
The San Francisco Rapid Response hotline at (415) 200-1548 can connect immigrants with legal support in the event of ICE detention.
Emma Garcia contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: This article was updated to include new information about the future of San Francisco’s remaining immigration courthouse at 630 Sansome St.
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