How to find out if I have a deportation order

Wondering how to find out if I have a deportation order? You can check it easily and for free. The government provides three official, safe ways to confirm whether there’s an active order against you or if your case is still open in immigration court:

• Check the court’s automated system from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
• Call the Department of Justice (DOJ) information center.
• Request your immigration file through a FOIA request.

Each option is confidential and accessible from anywhere, with no intermediaries needed.

With these methods, you can verify whether a deportation order is on record in your name, confirm if you have a scheduled hearing, or if your case has been closed.

These methods are safe and confidential, and they let you confirm if you have an active deportation order or if your case remains pending.

Keep reading to see step by step how to check your legal status.

How to find out if I have a deportation order in the United States in 2025 (step-by-step guide)

You can confirm whether the government issued a deportation order without intermediaries using these channels:

1. Check your case with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)

The DOJ’s Automated Case Information System (ACIS) lets you verify hearings and court decisions.

By phone:

• Call 1-800-898-7180.
• Press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish.
• Enter your Alien Registration Number (A-Number).

The system will tell you if you have a scheduled hearing or an active deportation order.

Online: You can also check through the official EOIR portal; you only need your A-Number and nationality.

This method is ideal for those who want to see online if they have a deportation order without making a phone call.

2. Request your immigration history through FOIA

If you changed addresses or never received notices, you can request your file under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

This process lets you find out if you were removed from the United States or if there is an in absentia deportation order.

Main steps:

• Complete Form G-639.
• Email it to USCIS, ICE, or EOIR.
• Wait for the response with a copy of your file.

You can submit through the USCIS FOIA portal. EOIR also explains the process on its FOIA requests page.

FOIA is a reliable option for people searching how to find out if I have a deportation order when notices never arrived or addresses changed.

If your file confirms an order, an attorney can help you reopen your immigration case.

Quick tips:

• Save every notice you receive from immigration authorities.
• Write down your A-Number in a safe place.
• Do not leave the country without consulting an attorney if you discover an order.

Types of deportation orders and what they mean for your case

Not all deportation orders are the same. Identifying which one you have helps you understand whether you may remain in the United States or need to act immediately. This context is essential for anyone searching how to find out if I have a deportation order and trying to interpret their EOIR results correctly.

1. In absentia deportation order

Issued when a person does not attend their hearing before the immigration judge.

The judge decides without hearing your defense, leaving an in absentia deportation order on file.

You may request to reopen the case if you can show that:

• You never received the Notice to Appear (NTA).
• There was an error in your mailing address.
• Exceptional circumstances existed, such as illness or a family emergency.

Legal deadlines:

• If there was lack of notice or you were detained through no fault of your own, the motion can be filed at any time.
• If there were exceptional circumstances, it must be filed within 180 days of the order.

Practical example: María, an immigrant from El Salvador, missed her hearing because the notice was sent to an old address. Her attorney submitted proof of her address change and a medical statement justifying her absence. The court reopened her case and canceled the in absentia order.

2. Expedited removal order

Expedited removal occurs when an immigration officer orders a person’s departure without a hearing before a judge.

It generally applies to individuals caught at the border or shortly after an unlawful entry.

The document confirming this process is Form I-860, Notice and Order of Expedited Removal.

If you fear returning to your country, you can request asylum before removal.

3. Reinstatement of removal (reactivating a prior order)

Applies when someone who was previously removed reenters without authorization. In that case, the prior order is automatically reinstated.

This can trigger multi-year reentry bars for illegal entry into the United States.

Can I fix my status if I already have a deportation order? Real options and limits

Before looking for solutions, it’s essential to understand how to find out if I have a deportation order. Identifying whether an order exists is the first step to act quickly and evaluate your legal options.

Having a deportation order in the United States doesn’t always mean your case is lost.

Depending on your circumstances, there are legal options to regularize your status or temporarily stop removal.

1. Available forms of relief

Certain forms of relief can stop or cancel a deportation order. Common options include:

• Asylum if you fear persecution or danger in your home country.
• U visa and VAWA for victims of certain crimes or domestic violence in the U.S.
• Cancellation of removal if you’ve lived in the U.S. for over 10 years and your departure would cause exceptional hardship to a resident or citizen family member.
• TPS when your country has a humanitarian designation, which can temporarily halt removal.

2. Adjustment of status or consular processing

If you are married to a U.S. citizen or have an approved family petition, you may qualify for lawful permanent residence.

However, an active deportation order blocks adjustment until the case is reopened and the order is vacated before the court or ICE.

In general, if you are:

• Inside the U.S., you may apply for adjustment of status.
• Outside the U.S., you would proceed with consular processing.

Before taking action, it’s critical to assess whether departing could trigger a reentry bar due to unlawful presence.

An attorney can determine whether to file a stay of removal or to submit a waiver of inadmissibility.

Consequences of missing your hearing

Failing to appear before the judge, after receiving proper notice, allows the court to issue an in absentia deportation order under INA § 240(b)(5).

The case is decided without hearing from the immigrant, and the order is added to the record. From that moment, ICE can execute removal at any time.

Main consequences

• The person is deemed to have waived their defense, losing the chance to present evidence or request relief at that hearing.
• The deportation order appears in the immigration record, affecting future applications.
• Under INA § 240(b)(7), a person with an in absentia order is ineligible for ten years for certain benefits, including cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, adjustment or change of status, and registry.

Motion to rescind or reopen the case

There are three main grounds to ask the judge to remove or reopen an in absentia deportation order:

• Lack of notice: If you did not receive the NTA or there was a mailing error, you can file the motion at any time.
• Exceptional circumstances: If a serious illness, family emergency, or other justified cause prevented attendance, file within 180 days of the order.
• Joint motion: If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agrees, you can file a joint motion to reopen at any time.

While the court reviews a motion to rescind an in absentia order, removal is automatically stayed.

If the motion is granted, proceedings are reinstated and you may present your case or apply for any relief you’re eligible for, such as asylum or cancellation of removal.

How to appeal a deportation order to the BIA

If an immigration judge issues a deportation order, you can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

The appeal allows a higher authority to review whether the judge made errors of fact or law.

Deadlines and procedure

• The deadline is 30 days from the date of the immigration judge’s order. BIA must receive the appeal before the deadline.
• Use Form EOIR-26 (Notice of Appeal) and include the filing fee or a fee waiver request (Form EOIR-26A).
• File by mail or electronically through EOIR’s online system.
• While the appeal is pending, the order is not final and ICE cannot execute removal.

After filing the appeal

• BIA will send a notice with the deadline to submit a legal brief explaining the judge’s errors.
• BIA primarily reviews the record of proceedings and written arguments. New evidence is accepted only in exceptional situations.
• If BIA affirms the decision, you may seek further review with the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals within the statutory deadline.

Practical tips:

• Track the deadline and file before day 30.
• Attach copies of the order and all evidence submitted.
• Keep your mailing address updated.

How to locate someone detained by immigration

Knowing how to locate someone detained by immigration is crucial when a relative has been arrested by ICE or transferred to a detention center.

1. ICE Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS)

The ICE Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) is the U.S. government’s official tool to verify whether someone is in federal custody or was recently released.

To use it, you’ll need:

• The A-Number and country of birth, or
• The person’s full name, date of birth, and country of origin.

This system only includes individuals 18 or older detained by immigration, so minors will not appear.

2. Contact ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)

If the person does not appear in ODLS, they may not have been processed yet or could be in transit.

• Contact the local Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office for the state or district.
• ERO personnel can confirm whether the person is in custody and provide their current location.
• ICE also has a Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL) at 1-888-351-4024, available in English and Spanish, to help locate a detainee.

3. Detention centers

ODLS will display the name of the detention center where the person is being held.

It’s best to contact the center directly to confirm and learn the rules on:

• Visits;
• Phone calls; and
• Dropping off personal documents.

The full list of offices is available on the ICE website.

Basic rights during an ICE raid or arrest

All immigrants—even those without lawful status—have rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Knowing them can make a crucial difference during a raid or detention.

Fundamental rights

• You have the right to remain silent and not answer questions about your immigration status, place of birth, or nationality. This right is protected by the Fifth Amendment.
• You are not required to sign any documents—especially voluntary departure forms—without speaking to an immigration attorney first.
• You have the right to contact an attorney or your consulate for legal guidance.
• Do not show false documents or lie to officers; this is a crime and can severely harm future immigration applications.

What to do during a raid or ICE visit

• Ask to see a judicial warrant before opening the door. Only a warrant signed by a federal judge authorizes agents to enter without consent.
• Verify the warrant: It must include your name, address, and a judge’s signature. ICE administrative warrants (like Form I-200) do not authorize forced entry to a residence.
• Do not open the door without a valid judicial warrant. You have the right to refuse entry and to remain silent.
• Stay calm and do not physically resist. If agents enter, remain silent, ask to speak with an attorney, and avoid signing or handing over documents without counsel.

Bars and inadmissibilities after a deportation

After receiving a deportation order or being removed from the U.S., it’s essential to understand the legal consequences that can block you from returning or adjusting status.

Many people learn that, after departure, they face reentry bars or are deemed inadmissible, preventing them from getting a visa or green card without an approved waiver.

Reentry bars for unlawful presence

The length of the bar depends on how long you were unlawfully present or the type of immigration violation:

• 3-year bar: Applies to those who stayed unlawfully more than 180 days but less than one year, then departed the U.S.
• 10-year bar: Applies to those who stayed unlawfully more than one year and later departed.
• Permanent bar: The most severe penalty, affecting those who reenter or attempt to reenter unlawfully after more than one year of unlawful presence or after a prior removal.

In some cases, you may seek permission to reapply for admission after remaining outside the U.S. for 10 years.

During a bar, you cannot apply for a visa, adjustment of status, or other benefits unless you obtain an approved waiver.

Waiver forms

There are two main routes for requesting a waiver depending on the bar or ground of inadmissibility:

• Form I-212: Permission to reapply for admission to the U.S. after removal or deportation.
• Form I-601: Used to request a waiver of certain inadmissibility grounds—such as some criminal issues, immigration fraud, or the 3- and 10-year bars.

Consequences of inadmissibility

Someone deemed inadmissible cannot:

• Obtain a visa or lawful permanent residence.
• Enter legally into the United States, even if they meet other requirements.
• Access immigration benefits such as adjustment of status or parole.

The type of bar and whether a waiver is available depend on your immigration history, the reason for removal, and how long you’ve been outside the country.

In many cases, learning early how to find out if I have a deportation order can help you avoid severe immigration penalties and open the door to a waiver or relief.

Emergency steps and official U.S. resources

If you discover you have a deportation order in the United States, act quickly and correctly.

Making decisions without legal guidance can make things worse.

Immediate steps to take

• Do not turn yourself in without speaking to an attorney.
• Gather all of your immigration documents.
• Avoid travel or leaving the state.
• Seek legal counsel to see whether you can request reopening or a stay of deportation.

Official U.S. government resources

• EOIR – Case management and hearings: https://www.justice.gov/eoir
• USCIS – Forms, waivers, and relief: https://www.uscis.gov
• ICE – Detainee locator & ERO offices: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/
• DHS – Immigration enforcement policies: https://www.dhs.gov

Quick checklist: if you suspect you have a deportation order

• Check your case with EOIR or call 1-800-898-7180.
• If there’s no result, request your file through FOIA.
• Do not leave the country until you speak with an attorney.
• Gather all immigration notices and documents.
• Evaluate with an attorney whether you can seek reopening or relief.

Frequently asked questions about orders and removals

Deportation orders raise many questions about their effects and available legal options.

Below we answer common FAQs to better understand how removals, bars, and status checks work with the authorities.

How can I find out if I have a reentry bar?

Request your record with a FOIA or consult an attorney.

The bar depends on how long you were unlawfully present or whether you had a prior deportation order.

How can I check if someone was deported from the United States?

Use the ICE detainee locator or request written information from DHS.

If the removal occurred years ago, the record may be in ERO files.

If I have a deportation order, will ICE look for me?

ICE can execute the order at any time. They may not actively search for everyone, but the order remains valid.

Speak with an attorney about filing a motion to reopen or seeking relief like cancellation of removal.

Is there a public list of people deported from the U.S.?

No, there isn’t a general public list. Only authorities have access to those records.

What’s the fastest way to check if I have an order?

Using EOIR’s phone line or ACIS is usually the quickest path for people searching how to find out if I have a deportation order, followed by a FOIA request if no records appear.

How can Curbelo Law help me find out if I have a deportation order?

At Curbelo Law, we know how stressful it is to discover a deportation order. Our team handles cases like yours every day.

We can help you:

• Confirm your court status and stop removal proceedings.
• Reopen your case if it was decided in absentia.
• Evaluate eligibility for cancellation of removal, asylum, or adjustment of status.
• File waivers and other motions that may allow you to remain in the country.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation. We can help in English or Spanish from our Ridgewood, New Jersey office. Call or schedule online, your legal future in the United States can start moving forward today.