Master Calendar Hearing

A master calendar hearing (MCH) is the initial and procedural phase of immigration court proceedings. Think of it as analogous to an arraignment or pre-trial hearing in criminal court — it is a brief appearance, typically lasting only a few minutes per case, where preliminary matters are addressed before the case proceeds to a full individual (merits) hearing.

During a master calendar hearing, several key events occur. The immigration judge reads the charges listed in the Notice to Appear (NTA) and asks the respondent to admit or deny the factual allegations. The respondent indicates whether they wish to designate a country of removal and whether they will be seeking any form of relief (such as asylum). The judge may ask about the need for an interpreter, the status of legal representation, and any other preliminary matters. Finally, the judge schedules the next hearing — either another master calendar hearing or an individual hearing.

Master calendar hearings are scheduled in blocks, with multiple cases (sometimes 30-50 or more) set for the same time slot. This creates a "cattle call" atmosphere that has been widely criticized — respondents, many of whom do not speak English and do not have lawyers, wait for hours as the judge works through the docket one case at a time.

For unrepresented respondents, the master calendar hearing can be confusing and intimidating. They may not understand the charges, the options for relief, or the consequences of their responses. Legal orientation programs and pro bono attorneys at some courts try to provide basic guidance, but many respondents navigate this critical stage alone.

A case may have multiple master calendar hearings before an individual hearing is scheduled — particularly if the respondent is seeking an attorney, waiting for a USCIS decision, or requires additional time. Each continuance at the master calendar stage adds to the overall backlog.