The first hearing during removal proceedings will be the master calendar hearing. This hearing date may be stated in the Notice to Appear served on the individual in removal proceedings or may be sent to him/her in a separate Notice of Hearing.
The master calendar hearing deals with preliminary matters such as:
- advising the individual in removal proceedings of the right to an attorney at no expense to the government
- advising the individual in removal proceedings of the right to present evidence, and advise the alien of the right to examine and object to evidence and to cross-examine any witnesses presented by the Department of Homeland Security.
- explaining the charges and factual allegations contained in the Notice to Appear
- taking pleadings
- identifying and narrowing the factual and legal issues
- setting deadlines for filing applications for relief, briefs, motions, prehearing statements, exhibits, witness lists, and other documents
- scheduling hearings to adjudicate contested matters and applications for relief
- advising the individual in removal proceedings of the consequences of failing to appear at subsequent hearings
- advising the individual in removal proceedings of the right to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals
At the master calendar hearing, the individual in removal proceedings should be prepared to:
- concede or deny service of the Notice to Appear
- request or waive a formal reading of the Notice to Appear
- request or waive an explanation of the respondent’s rights and obligations in removal proceedings
- admit or deny the charges and factual allegations in the Notice to Appear
- designate or decline to designate a country of removal
- identify and narrow the legal and factual issues
- state what applications(s) for relief from removal, if any, the respondent intends to file
- to request an interpreter for the alien and witnesses (if needed)
If you are in removal proceedings, call us immediately 940/891-4800!
