Empowering Immigrants, Strengthening America
If you live in Camden County and are not in detention, your deportation case will most likely be heard about 85 miles north in Newark. When you need an immigration lawyer who also knows South Jersey, learn more about our firm’s representation in Newark immigration court. DeCosmo Law prepares clients for each deportation hearing, from the first appearance to the last.
Getting to Newark Immigration Court From Camden
The Newark immigration court is part of the federal Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). It sits in Room 1200 of the federal building at 970 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102.
Plan to arrive about an hour early, since everyone passes through airport-style security and lines on Broad Street can stretch at busy times. Downtown parking can be limited, so consider a paid garage or public transit. From Camden, take the River LINE to Trenton, then transfer to an NJ Transit Northeast Corridor train to Newark Penn Station.
What Happens at a Master Calendar Hearing in NJ?
Your first master calendar hearing in NJ is usually short, with many other cases set for the same morning. During it, the judge will:
- Confirm your name, address, and language
- Explain your rights
- Ask you to admit or deny the charges
- Set deadlines for any applications for relief
These hearings often last only a few minutes. Your next date is usually set before you leave the courtroom.
How Does Your Final Hearing Work?
The individual merits hearing is the trial in your immigration removal proceedings. You testify, present documents, and may call witnesses. The judge often issues a decision at the end, though some rulings are issued later in writing.
The Government Attorney and Others in the Courtroom
You will not face the judge alone, but not everyone in the room is on your side. The courtroom usually includes:
- An immigration judge who decides your case
- An ICE attorney who argues for your removal
- A court interpreter, free of charge
- Your own attorney, if you hire one
The ICE attorney works for the Department of Homeland Security, not the court. Our bilingual attorneys can explain each step in Spanish so nothing on the record gets lost.
Can You Be Ordered Deported for Missing Court?
Under 8 U.S.C. § 1229a(b)(5), a judge can issue an in absentia order, which removes you without you being present, if the government shows notice was sent to the address you gave the court. That order can also bar you from several forms of relief for 10 years. If you move, file a change-of-address form with the court within 5 days.
Before Your Newark Court Date, Call DeCosmo Law
The weeks before a hearing are when filings, evidence, and witness plans come together, and going in alone leaves all of that to you. With over eight decades of combined immigration practice behind them, our Newark immigration defense attorney team can prepare your case and stand beside you in court. Call (856) 361-2122 today, or arrange a consultation online once your hearing notice arrives.