Immigration Lawyers in Texas

About Immigration Law in Texas

Immigration law and immigration-court proceedings are federal. Texas does not control federal immigration law; USCIS is within the Department of Homeland Security, while immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals are within the Department of Justice's EOIR.

USCIS requires noncitizens in the United States to report a change of address within 10 days of moving, except for A and G visa holders and visa-waiver visitors. This is a federal requirement; Texas does not set or alter it.

Changing an address with the U.S. Postal Service does not update USCIS records, and USPS does not forward USCIS mail.

A person with a case before an immigration court or the Board of Immigration Appeals must report address or contact-information changes to EOIR within five working days, using Form EOIR-33/IC for immigration court or EOIR-33/BIA for the Board. This is separate from the USCIS 10-day requirement, and EOIR requires a separate form for each affected person.

USCIS field offices do not accept walk-ins; an appointment is required for an in-person visit.

A current USCIS agency announcement, effective May 18, 2026, says attorneys and accredited representatives may no longer participate remotely in field-office interviews or in affirmative asylum and NACARA 203 interviews at asylum offices. Representatives must be physically present except in limited circumstances. This is an operational announcement, not a statute, regulation, or codified USCIS policy.

EOIR publishes its List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers quarterly in January, April, July, and October, organized by immigration-court location. Listed providers commit to at least 50 hours of pro bono service each year before the court where they appear; LegalLumin's listings are not drawn from or endorsed by that list.

EOIR case status can be checked through Automated Case Information or by calling 1-800-898-7180 or 304-625-2050 (TDD 800-828-1120). The system will not show a new hearing date until one is set, and court documents such as hearing notices remain the official source of case status.

ICE field offices are not check-in locations. ICE directs people to its Check-in page to find a check-in location, schedule or change an appointment, or update an address.

Texas is within the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which hears appeals from federal district courts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. This fact does not establish the venue for a petition for review of a Board of Immigration Appeals decision.

Sources: USCIS — How to Change Your Address, EOIR — Update Respondent or Alien Information, USCIS — Field Offices agency announcement, EOIR — List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers, EOIR — Check Case Status, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — Field Offices, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit — About the Court (verified 2026-08-29)

Frequently Asked Questions