Received a Notice to Appear in Houston? Here’s What the Next 90 Days Actually Look Like

Receiving an NTA in the mail or from an immigration officer is one of the most disorienting moments a person can face. The document is dense with legal language, the stakes feel impossible to absorb, and the first instinct for many people is to either panic or set it aside.

Neither response protects you. A Houston removal defense lawyer will tell you that the period between receiving an NTA and the first court date is the most consequential stretch of the entire case. Decisions made here, including which forms are filed, whether your address is registered correctly, and whether an attorney appears on your behalf before the first hearing, directly affect how the case unfolds.

What follows is a realistic walkthrough of the process, not legal advice, but a clear picture of what the Houston immigration court system actually looks like during those first 90 days.

Key Takeaways About the NTA Process in Houston

• A Notice to Appear is a charging document, not a deportation order. It starts removal proceedings in the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the federal agency that runs immigration courts.
• Houston has three immigration court locations. The one listed on your NTA or hearing notice is the one that handles your case.
• For non-detained individuals in Houston, the first hearing typically happens 60 to 90 days after the NTA is filed with the court.
• Missing a hearing, even once, can result in an in absentia removal order, which is an order of deportation issued without you present and extremely difficult to reverse.
• Under a key EOIR policy, when an attorney files a Notice of Appearance at least 15 days before a non-detained first hearing, the court often cancels that hearing and replaces it with a written scheduling order. Retaining counsel early may mean your client never needs to appear for the first hearing at all.

Key Statistics About Immigration Court in 2025 and 2026

Understanding the scale of the system helps clarify why timing and preparation matter so much.

• As of March 2026, over 2 million immigration court cases were pending nationwide, according to EOIR data and analysis from legal research organizations.
• Houston cases routinely wait over 1,400 days for an individual merits hearing, one of the longest average waits among major immigration courts in the country.
• In absentia removal orders, orders issued when a person fails to appear, increased by 31 percent in 2025. Courts are moving faster, and the consequences of missed hearings are accelerating with them.

The backlog means cases take years to resolve. But it does not reduce the urgency of the first 90 days. Deadlines early in the case are real, and errors at that stage are among the hardest to undo.

What Is a Notice to Appear and What Does It Actually Mean?

Most people who receive an NTA have never seen one before. Understanding what the document is, and what it is not, is the first step.

Is a Notice to Appear the Same as a Deportation Order?

No. An NTA is not a deportation order, and receiving one does not mean you will be deported. It is the government’s formal charging document that begins removal proceedings in immigration court. A final removal order requires a hearing before an immigration judge.

Until an immigration judge issues a final order, you have the right to appear in court and present a defense.

What Does the NTA Contain?

The NTA (Form I-862) contains three sections. The first is a list of factual allegations the government claims are true, typically including your country of citizenship, how you entered the United States, and the basis for the removal charge.

The second section states the legal charge of removability under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The third section provides the date, time, and location of the first court hearing, though some NTAs are issued without a hearing date and require a separate notice from the court.

How to Read Your Form I-862: The 3 Critical Spots to Check

When you are holding your Notice to Appear (Form I-862), look for these three critical pieces of information that dictate your immediate next steps:

• The “A-Number” (Alien Registration Number): Located at the very top right of the page. It is a 9-digit number (e.g., A 234-567-890). You will need this exact number every single time you call the EOIR automated hotline (1-800-898-7180) to check your court date.
• The Factual Allegations: Look near the middle of the first page. There will be a numbered list (usually 1 through 4 or 5) stating where you were born, when you entered the U.S., and how you entered. If any of these facts are wrong, your attorney can use them to challenge the government’s case.
• The Box at the Bottom: Check the bottom of the page to see if a specific date and time are written for your hearing, or if it says “a date and time to be set.” If it says “to be set,” you must monitor the EOIR system weekly because a separate notice will be mailed later.

Who Issues an NTA in Houston?

Most NTAs are issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They can also be issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at or near the border, by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in connection with an application denial, or by other Homeland Security components.

The agency that issued the NTA does not determine which court handles the case. That is determined by where DHS files the NTA with EOIR.

The 90-Day Timeline: What Happens After You Receive an NTA in Houston?

The first 90 days after receiving an NTA contain more consequential decisions than any other period in a removal case. Most people in this window have no attorney and no clear picture of what is coming.

What Should You Do in the First Week After Receiving an NTA?

Read the NTA line by line and verify that your name, date of birth, address, and the factual allegations are accurate. Errors on the NTA can be challenged, but only if you catch them early.

If you have moved at any point, file Form EOIR-33 with the immigration court immediately. This form must reach the court within five days of any address change. It is entirely separate from any address update you file with USCIS. Those are different systems that do not communicate with each other.

Call the EOIR automated case information hotline at 1-800-898-7180 using your A-Number (Alien Registration Number), found on the upper right corner of your NTA. This confirms whether your case has been docketed and whether a hearing date has been assigned.

What Is the EOIR System and Why Do You Need to Monitor It?

EOIR is the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the agency within the Department of Justice that runs immigration courts. It maintains a case tracking database accessible by phone and online.

You should check your EOIR case status regularly, even if you already have a hearing date. Hearing dates change. Courts reschedule cases without separate notification if your address on file is outdated. A date change you did not know about results in a missed hearing, which can produce an in absentia removal order.

When Is the First Houston Court Hearing Typically Scheduled?

For non-detained individuals in Houston, the first hearing, called a Master Calendar Hearing, is typically scheduled within 60 to 90 days after the NTA is filed with the court by DHS. For detained individuals, the timeline is much faster, usually 2 to 4 weeks.

The hearing will be held at one of Houston’s three immigration court locations. Do not assume you know which one. Verify the specific address listed on your hearing notice.

The First 90 Days After an NTA in Houston: What to Expect

Timeframe	Stage	What Happens	Key Action Required
Day 1–7	NTA Received	Government charges filed in EOIR system	Read NTA for errors; file EOIR-33 if you have moved; check EOIR hotline
Day 7–30	Case Docketed	Hearing notice assigned by EOIR	Monitor 1-800-898-7180 and EOIR portal with A-Number regularly
Day 1–45	Retain Counsel	Attorney files Form EOIR-28	If filed 15+ days before MCH, court may cancel hearing and issue Scheduling Order
Day 60–90	Master Calendar Hearing	Short procedural hearing (10–15 min)	Admit or deny charges; identify relief; accept judge’s scheduling deadlines
Post-MCH	Scheduling Order	Deadlines set for applications and evidence	File all applications and supporting documents on time

Which Houston Immigration Court Will Handle Your Case?

Houston operates three separate immigration court locations under EOIR. Cases are assigned, not self-selected.

What Is the Houston Jefferson Street Immigration Court?

Located at 500 Jefferson Street, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77002, this is the primary non-detained immigration court in downtown Houston. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Most non-detained removal cases originating in the Houston area are assigned here.

What Is the Houston South Gessner Road Immigration Court?

Located at 8701 South Gessner Road, 10th Floor, Houston, TX 77074, this court handles asylum cases and related proceedings primarily serving the southwest side of the city. It is part of the EOIR system and operates on the same Monday through Friday schedule.

What Is the Houston Greenspoint Park Immigration Court?

Located at 16800 Greenspoint Park Drive, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77060, this court serves north Houston and handles cases assigned to that area.

Your NTA or hearing notice will specify which court has jurisdiction over your case. Appearing at the wrong location is treated the same as failing to appear.

What Happens at a Master Calendar Hearing in Houston?

The Master Calendar Hearing (MCH) is not a trial. Most people who walk in expecting a full proceeding leave surprised by how brief it is.

How Long Does a Master Calendar Hearing Last?

A typical Master Calendar Hearing in Houston lasts 10 to 15 minutes. Judges schedule dozens of cases in a single session, sometimes 40 to 60 cases in one day. There is not time for arguments, evidence, or detailed testimony at this stage.

Judges are moving faster than ever. If you arrive unprepared to state your position, name your attorney, or identify what form of relief you plan to seek, the hearing may move past you before you have a chance to respond clearly.

What Does the Judge Ask at a Master Calendar Hearing?

The judge typically confirms your identity and current address, then asks whether you have reviewed and understood the charges on the NTA. You will be asked to admit or deny each factual allegation.

If you do not have an attorney, the judge will typically grant a continuance, a delay, to give you time to find one. Judges usually grant one or two continuances for this purpose. They do not grant them indefinitely.

If you do have an attorney, the judge asks what form of relief you intend to seek, sets deadlines for filing applications and supporting documents, and schedules either the individual merits hearing or a follow-up Master Calendar Hearing.

What Is the EOIR-28 Strategy That Can Cancel the First Hearing?

This is the detail most people do not know. Under EOIR Policy Memorandum 21-18, when an attorney files Form EOIR-28, the Notice of Appearance, at least 15 days before a non-detained Master Calendar Hearing, the immigration court typically cancels that hearing entirely.

Instead of appearing in court, the case receives a written Scheduling Order. The Scheduling Order sets deadlines for submitting pleadings, applications for relief, and supporting documents. The hearing is replaced by a paper process.

This matters because it means retaining a Houston removal defense lawyer before the first hearing date is not just about having representation in court. It may mean the first court appearance does not happen at all, replaced by a more manageable series of written deadlines. Any rights that could be waived at an early hearing are also protected.

What Deadlines Apply Before and After the First Hearing?

Most errors in removal cases are not legal errors. They are deadline failures.

What Is Form EOIR-33 and Why Does It Matter More Than Most People Realize?

Form EOIR-33 is the Change of Address form for immigration court. It is not the same as changing your address with USCIS or the post office. They are separate systems.

If you move while your case is pending and do not file EOIR-33 within five days, hearing notices go to your old address. Missing a notice is not an excuse. The court treats it as a failure to appear and issues an in absentia removal order.

What Is an In Absentia Removal Order and How Hard Is It to Undo?

An in absentia removal order is a deportation order issued by an immigration judge when a respondent does not appear at a scheduled hearing. The judge does not wait.

Reversing this order requires filing a Motion to Reopen within 180 days of the order, demonstrating exceptional circumstances that prevented appearance. It can also be reopened at any time if you can prove you never received proper notice. Both paths are difficult, and neither is guaranteed.

What Filing Deadlines Apply to Motions and Applications?

Under EOIR rules, motions must be filed at least 15 days before a Master Calendar Hearing and at least 30 days before an individual merits hearing for non-detained cases. Applications for relief and supporting documents must be filed according to the schedule the judge sets at the first hearing or through the Scheduling Order.

Missing these deadlines can result in the court treating your application as abandoned.

What Forms of Relief May Be Available in Houston Removal Proceedings?

An NTA opens a removal case, but it does not determine the outcome. Many long-term Houston residents have options they do not know exist.

What Is Cancellation of Removal and Who Qualifies?

Cancellation of Removal is a form of relief available in immigration court that can result in a green card. For non-citizens who have not been admitted as lawful permanent residents, general eligibility typically requires ten years of continuous physical presence in the U.S., good moral character during that period, and proof that removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.

This is a high standard, and meeting it requires thorough documentation. An attorney can assess whether the facts of a specific case support this type of application.

Can a VAWA Case or U Visa Application Affect a Removal Proceeding?

In many cases, yes. A pending VAWA self-petition or U visa application may provide grounds to request a continuance of removal proceedings, a stay of removal, or prosecutorial discretion depending on the specific facts of the case and the current policies of the immigration court.

Victims of domestic violence or qualifying crimes who are in removal proceedings may have relief pathways running parallel to their removal case. These pathways are worth identifying early, before deadlines in the removal proceeding close them off.

When Should You Talk to a Houston Removal Defense Lawyer?

Before the first hearing date. Ideally within the first week of receiving the NTA.

The EOIR-28 filing window, the 15-day threshold before a Master Calendar Hearing that can convert an in-court appearance into a Scheduling Order, closes quickly. Retaining counsel after that window has passed does not undo the hearing; it means appearing in court instead.

Beyond the EOIR-28 strategy, early retention allows an attorney to review the NTA for defects, identify available forms of relief before the first hearing locks in a position, ensure the address is correctly registered, and begin building the case record while it is still early enough to matter.

Practical Steps Many Houston Residents Find Helpful After Receiving an NTA

The paperwork side of a removal case is manageable with clear habits.

How Do You Verify Your Immigration Court Case in Houston?

Call the EOIR automated hotline at 1-800-898-7180 and enter your A-Number when prompted. The system will confirm whether your case has been docketed, the assigned court location, and any scheduled hearing dates.

You can also check the same information through the EOIR online portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov. Check regularly, not just once. Hearing dates change and are not always communicated by mail in time.

What Documents Should You Keep Together After Receiving an NTA?

Keep the original NTA and every hearing notice you receive in a single folder. Also gather any prior immigration documents including past visas, prior applications, I-94 arrival records, and any communications from USCIS or ICE.

An attorney reviewing your case needs this entire history. Documents that seem irrelevant often become critical.

What Evidence Matters Most in the First 90 Days of a Removal Case?

Evidence of continuous presence in the U.S. and of qualifying family relationships is the foundation of most removal defense cases. Tax returns, school records, employment records, leases, utility bills, and medical records all help establish a history.

If family members are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, documents confirming their status and their relationship to you are equally important.

Ask Vergara Miller: NTA Questions From Houston Clients

Q: My NTA does not have a hearing date on it. Does that mean I don’t have to do anything yet? A: No. An NTA without a date means a separate hearing notice will be sent to the address on file with the court. You need to confirm that address is current and monitor the EOIR hotline and portal for your case status. Many people miss their first hearing because they assumed no date meant no urgency.

Q: I got my NTA three weeks ago and have not retained an attorney yet. Have I missed the window to use the EOIR-28 strategy? A: It depends on your hearing date. If the first Master Calendar Hearing is still more than 15 days away, an attorney who files Form EOIR-28 immediately may still be able to use this strategy. If the hearing is sooner, the priority shifts to appearing prepared. Contact us as soon as possible so we can check your EOIR case status and advise you on timing.

Q: I moved after receiving my NTA. I updated my address with USCIS. Is that enough? A: No. USCIS and EOIR are separate systems. Updating your address with USCIS does not update it with the immigration court. You need to file Form EOIR-33 with the specific court handling your case within five days of the move. If you have not done this, contact us and we can help you file it immediately.

Q: My NTA lists charges I believe are incorrect. Is it too early to challenge them? A: No, and it is better to identify errors early. Factual errors on an NTA can sometimes be the basis for a motion to terminate proceedings. Legal defects in how the NTA was issued can also affect jurisdiction. An attorney should review the document before the first hearing so any challenge is raised at the right moment.

Houston Removal Defense Lawyer: Questions People in Proceedings Often Ask

Does a removal case from years ago affect a new NTA I just received in Houston? A prior removal order or removal case can significantly affect a new proceeding. If a prior order exists, the government may seek reinstatement of that order rather than new removal proceedings, which limits the available defenses. If the prior case was dismissed or administratively closed, the impact depends on how and why it closed. An attorney needs to review the full history of any prior proceedings to understand how it interacts with the current NTA.

Can I travel outside the U.S. after receiving a Notice to Appear? International travel after receiving an NTA carries serious risk, including for lawful permanent residents. Returning to the U.S. after a departure while removal proceedings are pending can be treated as an abandonment of legal status or result in detention upon reentry. This is not a decision to make without legal guidance specific to your situation.

If I qualify for a U visa or VAWA, will that automatically stop my removal case? Not automatically. A pending humanitarian petition does not suspend removal proceedings on its own. However, it may create grounds to request a stay of removal, a continuance, or prosecutorial discretion depending on the specific circumstances. In some cases, the immigration court will grant a continuance while a related petition is being adjudicated elsewhere. An attorney needs to assess both proceedings together.

What happens if the government attorney and I disagree about the facts in the NTA? You will be asked to admit or deny each factual allegation on the NTA at the Master Calendar Hearing. Denying allegations does not end the case, but it does require the government to prove those facts at the individual merits hearing. An attorney can advise you on which allegations to admit, which to deny, and what consequences each choice carries before you stand before the judge.

You Have Time to Act. But Not Unlimited Time.

Receiving an NTA in Houston does not mean deportation is inevitable. It means the clock has started. The 90 days between an NTA and a first hearing are not a waiting period. They are a preparation period, and what gets done in them changes the shape of everything that comes after.

At Vergara Miller Law, we are an immigrant-led firm. Our role is to advocate for clients who have built lives in Houston and deserve a real defense. We work to pursue every available path, from challenging the NTA itself to building a complete removal defense or identifying a parallel humanitarian petition.

We offer honest evaluations. Our team speaks Spanish. We answer phones late evenings and are building toward 24/7 availability for clients who need to reach us outside regular hours.

Call (832) 305-6560 or reach us on WhatsApp. You can also learn more about how we approach removal defense and related immigration cases on our immigration practice area page.