OCTOBER 2025 | 9 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL Immigration Law Navigating Immigration Court Hearings for Oklahoma Residents: Master Calendar and Individual Hearings Explained By Yovana Lopez Medina UNDERSTANDING THE INTRICACIES OF IMMIGRATION COURT PROCEEDINGS is essential for immigration attorneys representing clients in Oklahoma, a state with a growing immigrant population. This article aims to demystify the two primary types of hearings in immigration court – master calendar hearings and individual hearings – and provide practical insights for practitioners whose clients’ cases are assigned to courts outside Oklahoma, primarily the Dallas Immigration Court. WHAT ARE IMMIGRATION COURTS? Immigration courts are specialized courts under the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a branch of the U.S. Department of Justice. These courts conduct removal proceedings to determine whether a noncitizen (referred to as the “respondent”) can remain in the United States or must be removed. The proceedings are adversarial, involving an immigration judge, a government attorney from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the respondent and their legal representative. RIGHT TO COUNSEL It’s crucial to note that respondents in immigration court do not have the right to a government- funded attorney, regardless of their age or whether they are unaccompanied minors. As a result, many respondents, including vulnerable populations like minors, must navigate complex legal processes without legal representation unless they can secure private counsel or pro bono assistance. THE ABSENCE OF AN IMMIGRATION COURT IN OKLAHOMA Oklahoma does not have its own immigration court. As a result, respondents residing in Oklahoma typically have their cases assigned to the Dallas Immigration Court in Texas. This situation presents unique logistical and legal challenges for both attorneys and clients, including travel considerations and familiarity with the procedures of an out-ofstate court. MASTER CALENDAR HEARINGS Purpose and Procedure A master calendar hearing is a preliminary, brief proceeding where the immigration judge manages the progress of a case. Key activities during this hearing include: Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTk3MQ==