DOJ Closes San Francisco Immigration Court Early, Leaving Thousands of Cases Uncertain

The U.S. Department of Justice has officially closed the San Francisco Immigration Court months earlier than expected, transferring its operations to the Concord Immigration Court.

The sudden closure has caused uncertainty for thousands of immigrants whose cases were pending in San Francisco.

Immigration courts handle deportation proceedings, asylum claims, and other immigration-related hearings.

For many immigrants, these hearings determine whether they can remain in the United States legally. With the San Francisco court now shut down, many cases are being delayed, reassigned, or rescheduled.

The problem is that the Concord Immigration Court was already dealing with a significant backlog before inheriting San Francisco’s cases. This transition will lead to longer wait times, missed hearing notices, and additional strain on an already overwhelmed immigration court system.

The San Francisco Immigration Court was known for handling a large number of asylum cases and historically granting relief at rates higher than the national average.

For immigrants with pending cases, the closure means:

Delayed hearings
New court locations
Difficulty tracking case updates
Risk of missing important notices

As cases are transferred and delayed, thousands of immigrants will be left navigating an already overburdened system with greater uncertainty about their future.

How to Stay Updated on Your Immigration Case and Hearing Date

Immigrants with pending immigration court cases can stay updated with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) by phone and online.

The EOIR Automated Case Information System is available online at https://acis.eoir.justice.gov, where individuals can enter their Alien Registration Number (A-Number) and nationality to view their next hearing date, court location, and basic case status.

Updates are also available by phone through the EOIR Automated Case Information Hotline at 1-800-898-7180 (or TDD 800-828-1120 for hearing-impaired callers).

The system is available 24/7 and provides hearing dates, case outcomes, and basic scheduling information. Because immigration courts may change locations or reschedule hearings, checking both the online portal and phone system regularly is important to ensure you do not miss updates or court appearances.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

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