Imperial Immigration Court
Court Announcements
- Internet-Based Hearings Access Information
- Operational Status Information
- Administrative Control List
- More Court Information
About the Court
The Imperial Immigration Court falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is a component of the Executive Office for Immigration Review under the Department of Justice.
Contact the Court
Address
2409 La Brucherie Road
Imperial, CA 92251
Hours
- Court Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Window Filing Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone
760-370-5200
The immigration court does not accept faxes or other electronic submissions unless the transmission has been specifically requested by the immigration court staff or the immigration judge. Unauthorized transmissions are not made part of the record and are discarded without consideration of the document or notice to the sender.
Parking/Transit
There is free parking at the court. The office is accessible to people with disabilities. There is also a bus that serves the city of Imperial.
https://www.ivtransit.com
Building Access and Security Screening Process
Lobby Entrance
All visitors are required to check in and sign-in with the lobby attendant. Immigration court visitors and attorneys must not remain in the lobby area or near the entrance doors of the building, as it is a violation of the building policy. If you must meet your client(s) prior to the scheduled immigration court hearing, please inform the security officer who will direct you to the pro bono room.
Security Procedures
All persons wishing to access the facility will be required to provide U.S. government or state identification, or a PIV agency card. All visitors to the immigration court must undergo a security screening through a metal detector machine as well as a handbag screening each time they visit the immigration court. Shoes may be required to be removed, if needed.
Visitors must not bring any cameras, video, or recording equipment.
Assistant Chief Immigration Judge*
Staff Assistant or Alternate POC
Joyce Rios
760-370-5221
Court Administrator
Gracie D. Gray
760-370-5238
[email protected]
Immigration Judges
- Vicenta I. Banuelos-Rodriguez
- Clerk: Cassandra Lugo
760-370-5202
- Clerk: Cassandra Lugo
- Jeffrey V. Muñoz .
- Clerk: Jose (Jesse) De Jesus Villegas
760-370-5209
- Clerk: Jose (Jesse) De Jesus Villegas
Supervisory Legal Administrative Specialists
Rosa Colunga
760-370-5203
Legal Administrative Specialists
Vanessa Beltran
760-370-5251
Cassandra Lugo
760-370-5202
Maria Murga
760-370-5211
Jose “Jesse” de Jesus Villegas
760-370-5209
Legal Assistants
Erika Flores
760-370-5223
Support Services Specialist
Ivan Martin
760-370-5216
*Backup Assistant Chief Immigration Judge: Rodin Rooyani
Immigration Court Procedures
For information regarding procedures for practice before the immigration courts, please review the Immigration Court Practice Manual.
Helpful Links and Information
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are therefore separate from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). For more information about those DHS offices, please see the following links:
- USCIS Asylum Office
- USCIS field office
- ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office
- ICE Office of the Chief Counsel
News Media/Congressional Inquiries
News media and congressional inquiries regarding the immigration court must be directed to the EOIR Communications and Legislative Affairs Division (CLAD):
Communications and Legislative Affairs Division
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1800
Falls Church, VA 22041
703-305-0289 (phone)
[email protected]
Holidays and Emergencies
The immigration court is open Monday to Friday except for federal holidays. The Office of Personnel Management publishes a list of the observed dates of every federal holiday by year online at this link: OPM holidays. Additionally, the court may have to unexpectedly close due to inclement weather or another emergency. When necessary, information on immigration court closures or changes to the immigration court’s operating hours is available at the following links: (1) Twitter and (2) Facebook.
eRegistry
Attorneys and accredited representatives are required to register with EOIR in order to represent respondents in immigration court. More information is available at the following link: eRegistry Validation Process.
Legal Self-Help Center
The EOIR, Office of Legal Access Programs has created numerous self-help materials with many helpful resources for respondents, including information on what to do if respondents have moved or missed a hearing.
Notarios
EOIR warns respondents about immigration fraud perpetrated by notarios who claim to provide legal assistance but are unable to represent respondents in immigration court, provide legal services, or give legal advice. For more information, please see the following document:
- Fact Sheet, “EOIR’s Programs to Fight Fraud, Abuse, and Ineffective Representation in Immigration Proceedings” (March 2016).
Appeals
Immigration court decisions are first appealable to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Instructions on how to file an appeal and the Appeals Form EOIR-26, Notice of Appeal from a Decision of an Immigration Judge, are available online in the E-26 and appeal instructions. The BIA website contains more information on the appeals process and procedure.
Virtual Law Library
The EOIR Virtual Law Library (VLL) contains many other legal resources and country conditions research resources as well as other reference materials.
Observing Court
Generally, immigration court proceedings are open to the public. An overview of when immigration court hearings might be closed as well as general guidelines for behavior when observing immigration court hearings are available at the following link: Observing Immigration Court Hearings. Note, the use of electronic devices, including audio/visual recordings of hearings and taking photographs, is prohibited in immigration court.