The immigration court at 100 Montgomery St. in San Francisco will close May 1, triggering confusion among immigrants with upcoming hearings as cases are moved to different dates and locations.
Advocates warn the changes are causing problems, with some people showing up to the wrong location. In one recent week, according to a KQED report, more than 800 people were ordered removed from the country in a single week after missing their hearings.
“They’re sending these notices out so last minute that people are not getting them in time for the hearings,” said Millie Atkinson, director of the Immigrant Legal Defense Program at the Justice and Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco.
Missing a hearing can have serious 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.”
The court was initially expected to close at the end of the year, but the Executive Office for Immigration Review said in a statement that it will shutter eight months earlier.
According to Mission Local, the closure will move most staff and cases nearly 28 miles away to Concord, while others will be reassigned to the remaining San Francisco immigration court at 630 Sansome St., which now has only two judges.
“This is going to see a huge increase in the backlog of cases,” said Atkinson. “So it’s just going to be more difficult, more complicated, and take a lot more time for someone to be successful in their asylum claim.”
Given these changes, Atkinson said the most urgent issue is making sure people understand the current status and location of their hearings.
What you should do
- Check your hearing: Use the Automated Case Information System to confirm the date and location of your next hearing. You will need your A-number.
- Update your information: Make sure the court has your current contact information so you can receive updates about your case.
Resources
Organizations like Faith in Action offer court accompaniment through trained volunteers, who can meet individuals at a BART station or accompany them to court. Those seeking support can contact the group’s community response hotline at (203) 666-4472.
The San Francisco Rapid Response hotline at (415) 200-1548 can connect people to legal support if they are detained.
“Welcome navigators” are available at the Concord courthouse to assist young people with cases on the juvenile docket.
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