Why It’s Critical to Update Your Address with Immigration Court (EOIR) Avoiding Missed Hearings, Removal Orders, and Lost Opportunities

By swipecreatif.agency/ April 3, 2025

If you have a pending immigration case with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) — the immigration court — one of the most important responsibilities you have is keeping your address up to date.

This may sound simple, but failure to do so can have serious, irreversible consequences — including being ordered deported in your absence.

Your Duty to Update EOIR

By law, noncitizens in removal proceedings are required to inform EOIR of any address change within 5 days using Form EOIR-33. This must be submitted separately for each court where you have a case pending and for each family member involved.

You can file EOIR-33:

• Online through the EOIR Portal (if you are registered), or

• By mail or in person at the immigration court where your case is pending.

What Happens If You Don’t Update Your Address?

Failing to update your address means you may not receive critical court notices, including:

• Notices of hearing (Master Calendar or Individual Hearing)

• Requests for evidence or documents

• Updates on your case status or deadlines

If you miss a hearing because the court notice was sent to your old address, the judge may issue a removal order in your absence — this is called an in absentia order.

In other words, you could be ordered deported without ever having the chance to present your case.

Consequences of an In Absentia Removal Order

• Bar to Reentry: You could be barred from returning to the U.S. for up to 10 years

• Denial of Relief: You lose your chance to apply for asylum, cancellation of removal, or other relief

• Harder to Reopen the Case: Reopening an in absentia order requires proving that you never received proper notice — a legal uphill battle if you failed to update your address

• Enforcement: ICE may use the removal order to detain or deport you at any time

Common Misunderstandings

• Telling USCIS Is Not Enough: Updating your address with USCIS does not update your address with the immigration court. EOIR and USCIS are separate agencies.

• Pending Case = Ongoing Responsibility: Even if your last hearing was months ago, you must continue updating your address until your case is fully resolved or terminated.

• One Form Per Person, Per Court: If you have multiple family members in proceedings, each must submit their own EOIR-33.

Protect Yourself and Your Case

If you have moved or plan to move, submit the EOIR-33 immediately. It’s a simple but critical step to ensure you stay informed and don’t lose your chance to fight your case.

At Alabbassi Law Office, we help clients maintain compliance with court requirements and defend their rights in removal proceedings. If you need assistance with your case or have missed a hearing, contact us today for legal support.