Texas has more EOIR immigration courts than any other state - twelve courts across seven cities: Conroe, Dallas, El Paso (two courts), Harlingen, Houston (three courts), Laredo, Pearsall, Port Isabel/Los Fresnos, and San Antonio. Texas also handles more immigration cases in total than any other state. Which court controls a specific case depends on where the person was arrested, which DHS office issued the charging document, and whether the person is detained.
This page explains Texas's court structure, which courts handle which cases, how to find hearing information, and what the removal proceeding process looks like from start to finish.
Texas's Twelve Immigration Courts
Conroe Immigration Court
500 Dallas Street, Conroe, Texas 77301
Covers detained cases at the Joe Corley Processing Center in Conroe and Montgomery County Jail, as well as several county jails in the Houston DHS area.
Dallas Immigration Court
Earle Cabell Federal Building
1100 Commerce Street, Suite 1100, Dallas, Texas 75242
Covers the Dallas DHS District Office, including sub-offices for non-detained cases across north Texas and Oklahoma.
El Paso Immigration Court
1545 Hawkins Boulevard, Suite 167, El Paso, Texas 79925
Phone: 915-225-1350
Covers the El Paso DHS District Office including sub-offices, and the Albuquerque, New Mexico DHS sub-office. Non-detained respondents in west Texas and New Mexico, and detainees at El Paso area facilities, appear here.
El Paso SPC Immigration Court
El Paso Service Processing Center
8915 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79925
Operates inside the El Paso Service Processing Center and handles detained cases at that facility.
Harlingen Immigration Court
2102 Teege Avenue, Suite 200, Harlingen, Texas 78550
Phone: 956-427-8600
Covers the Rio Grande Valley DHS sub-offices including McAllen, Laredo, and Brownsville/Harlingen. One of the highest-volume courts in the country for asylum seekers and border-area respondents.
Houston Immigration Court
126 Northpoint Drive, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77060
Covers the Houston DHS District Office including sub-offices for non-detained respondents.
Houston - Greenspoint Park Immigration Court
16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 2300, Houston, Texas 77060
Covers Houston DHS District non-detained cases as assigned.
Houston - South Gessner Immigration Court
1 Greenway Plaza, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77046
Covers Houston DHS District cases as assigned.
Laredo Immigration Court
1717 Bob Bullock Loop, Suite 1000, Laredo, Texas 78043
Covers the Laredo DHS sub-office and detained cases in the Laredo area.
Pearsall Immigration Court
566 Veterans Drive, Pearsall, Texas 78061
Covers detained cases at the South Texas Detention Complex in Pearsall.
Port Isabel Detention Center Immigration Court
27991 Buena Vista Boulevard, Los Fresnos, Texas 78566
Covers detained cases at the Port Isabel Detention Center.
San Antonio Immigration Court
615 East Houston Street, Suite 600, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Covers the San Antonio DHS sub-office for non-detained respondents and some detained facility cases.
Always use the EOIR Automated Case Information System at 800-898-7180 or the hearing notice to confirm which of the twelve courts controls a specific case.
How Immigration Court Differs From Criminal Court
Immigration court is a civil proceeding, not a criminal one. Removal proceedings take place before an immigration judge employed by the Department of Justice through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The government is represented by a DHS attorney from the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). The person in proceedings is called the respondent.
Being in removal proceedings is not a criminal charge and does not result in a criminal sentence. The outcome is either a grant of relief that allows the person to remain in the United States in some legal status, or a removal order directing them to leave. There is no jury. There is no public defender equivalent.
The respondent has the right to be represented by an attorney at their own expense. There is no right to a government-appointed attorney in immigration court except in narrow circumstances involving serious mental competency concerns. Not having a free attorney does not mean going without legal help. Legal aid organizations and nonprofits provide free or reduced-cost representation. Resources appear at the end of this page.
A word on notario fraud: in many countries, a notario publico is a licensed legal professional. In the United States, that title has no equivalent legal standing. Notarios, immigration consultants, and non-lawyers cannot represent people in immigration court and cannot legally provide immigration advice. Verify any representative's credentials before paying. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can appear in immigration court on someone's behalf.
The Removal Proceeding: Step by Step
Step one: The Notice to Appear
A removal proceeding begins when DHS issues a Notice to Appear (NTA). This is the charging document in immigration court. It identifies the grounds for removal and directs the person to appear before an immigration court. The NTA may or may not include a hearing date when served. If it does not, a separate hearing notice will arrive by mail.
Keeping the court and DHS informed of any address change is required by law. Use Form EOIR-33 to update the court and separately notify DHS OPLA within five days of any move. In absentia orders for missed hearings are common in Texas given the large volume of cases and the difficulty many respondents have in tracking hearing dates.
Step two: The Master Calendar Hearing
The first court appearance is a master calendar hearing. These are short administrative sessions where the immigration judge manages the case, confirms the respondent understands the charges and their rights, asks about legal representation, and sets the schedule.
Step three: The Individual Hearing
After master calendar, the case moves to an individual hearing, also called a merits hearing. The immigration judge hears testimony, receives evidence, and may question the respondent and witnesses. Common forms of relief include asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and voluntary departure.
Step four: Bond Hearings
If a respondent is detained, they may request a bond hearing before an immigration judge. A bond hearing is separate from the removal hearing. Not all detained respondents are eligible for a standard bond hearing. Those subject to mandatory detention under federal law may seek release through the federal courts via a habeas corpus petition.
For Texas detained respondents, the bond posting location depends on which ICE ERO field office has jurisdiction. The Dallas Field Office (214-424-7800), Houston Field Office, and San Antonio Field Office each handle bond for their respective areas. Confirm via ACIS at 800-898-7180.
Step five: The Decision and Appeal
After the individual hearing, the immigration judge issues a written decision. If removal is ordered, the respondent has the right to appeal to the BIA within 30 calendar days. Texas falls within the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. A petition for review must be filed in the Fifth Circuit within 30 days of the BIA's order.
How to Find Hearing Information
EOIR Automated Case Information System: 800-898-7180 (English and Spanish; TDD: 800-828-1120). Available 24 hours a day. Online: acis.eoir.justice.gov
EOIR court finder by ZIP code: justice.gov/eoir/find-immigration-court-and-access-internet-based-hearings
Conroe: 500 Dallas Street, Conroe, TX 77301
Dallas: 1100 Commerce Street, Suite 1100, Dallas, TX 75242
El Paso: 1545 Hawkins Boulevard, Suite 167, El Paso, TX 79925 | 915-225-1350
El Paso SPC: 8915 Montana Avenue, El Paso, TX 79925
Harlingen: 2102 Teege Avenue, Suite 200, Harlingen, TX 78550 | 956-427-8600
Houston: 126 Northpoint Drive, Suite 2000, Houston, TX 77060
Houston - Greenspoint: 16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77060
Houston - South Gessner: 1 Greenway Plaza, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77046
Laredo: 1717 Bob Bullock Loop, Suite 1000, Laredo, TX 78043
Pearsall: 566 Veterans Drive, Pearsall, TX 78061
Port Isabel: 27991 Buena Vista Boulevard, Los Fresnos, TX 78566
San Antonio: 615 East Houston Street, Suite 600, San Antonio, TX 78205
Legal Resources for Texas Respondents
RAICES - raicestexas.org | 210-222-0964 | San Antonio - One of the largest immigration legal services organizations in Texas. Provides free legal services to detained and non-detained respondents across the state.
Proyecto Dilley - projectdilley.com | Austin - Provides free legal services to families detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.
Human Rights First - humanrightsfirst.org | 202-370-3323 - Provides legal representation for asylum seekers at Texas immigration courts.
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid - trla.org | 956-996-8752 - Free civil legal services in south Texas including immigration matters.
Catholic Legal Immigration Network affiliates - cliniclegal.org - Multiple Texas affiliates. Search by ZIP code.
EOIR Free Legal Services List - justice.gov/eoir/free-legal-services-providers - Lists attorneys and organizations for each Texas immigration court.
This page provides factual information about the immigration court process as it applies to Texas. It is not legal advice. Information reflects conditions as of June 2026.