The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has confirmed credible reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), through its Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), will begin filing motions to recalendar all previously administratively closed immigration court cases, with filings expected to begin as early as Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

This development could have serious implications for thousands of immigrants whose removal proceedings were placed on hold—some as far back as a decade ago.
What Is an “Administratively Closed” Case?
An administratively closed case is one that has been removed from the active docket of an immigration judge. It does not mean the case was dismissed or resolved—only that it was set aside temporarily. This often occurred when ICE agreed not to pursue removal for prosecutorial discretion reasons, or when a respondent was awaiting the outcome of another legal matter, like a visa petition or pending relief application.
While the case was inactive, no hearings were scheduled, and the respondent was not required to take further action. However, the case could be reopened (or “recalendared”) at any time—either by the government or by the immigration judge.

What’s Happening Now?
According to AILA, ICE OPLA plans to begin systematically reopening (recalendaring) all such administratively closed cases. Once a motion to recalendar is filed, respondents and their attorneys typically have just 10 days to respond.
This creates an urgent legal situation for many, especially for individuals:
Who are representing themselves (pro se),
Who has moved or changed contact information,
Whose attorneys are no longer practicing or reachable, or
Who believed their cases were permanently resolved or forgotten.

What Are the Risks?
If your case is recalendared and you don’t respond or appear for your hearing:
You could receive an in-absentia removal order, meaning the judge orders your deportation without you being present.
You may lose the opportunity to apply for any relief that has since become available.
You could face serious consequences for future immigration benefits or applications.

What Should You Do Right Now?
If you have ever had a case that was administratively closed, or you’re unsure of your case’s current status, we urge you to take the following steps immediately:
Check Your Case Status: Call the EOIR Case Status Hotline at 1-800-898-7180 or visit the EOIR Case Status website to find out if your case is on the court docket.

Update Your Contact Information: If you’ve moved or changed phone numbers or emails, submit EOIR Form 33/IC to update your address with the immigration court, and notify ICE if applicable.

Contact an Immigration Attorney: Time is short. If you receive a motion to recalendar, or believe your case might be affected, consult with an experienced immigration attorney as soon as possible.

We Are Here to Help: At Perry and Alznauer Immigration Law, we are actively monitoring this situation and are ready to assist individuals who may be affected. If you have an old, ongoing immigration case or believe your case was previously administratively closed, we encourage you to reach out without delay. Whether you are a current client, a former client, or someone seeking legal advice for the first time, we are here to review your case, explain your options, and help you take timely and informed action. You can call our office or schedule a consultation online.