Immigration hearing process when a non-citizen must answer before an Immigration Judge to address 
whether he or she is removable from the U.S.  

You will have at least one hearing.  However, this does not happen when a non-citizen is in a proceeding 
known as reinstatement or the individual waives a right to a hearing by signing a waiver presented by 
DHS.  A master calendar hearing is a short hearing before the immigration judge. During this hearing, you 
may ask the judge to postpone or “continue” the hearing to another date to allow you to find an attorney. 
If you don’t want to fight your case, you can ask the judge for voluntary
removal or deportation. If you want to fight your case or ask for more time to find an attorney, you will 
normally be rescheduled for another “Master” hearing. If you are forced to proceed without an attorney, 
deny the charges (this may force the government to prove the charges). 

If you are applying for a way to stay in the US legally, you will have a separate “Individual” Hearing to 
present your case to the immigration judge. You should bring any relevant documents and witnesses to 
testify at the hearing. You may not receive an individual hearing if the judge thinks that you are not 
eligible for any relief.