Can immigration court records be removed from the internet?

Removal proceedings and immigration court records are particularly sensitive. While EOIR hearings are generally open, we can pursue de-indexing from Google and removal from third-party databases for immigration court records that pose safety risks or involve private individuals without ongoing public interest. We've helped asylum seekers and refugees address unlawful online publication of their cases.

Do immigration court records appear on employment background checks?

Immigration court proceedings generally do not appear on standard criminal background checks unless the case involved criminal charges. However, some background check services include immigration enforcement records. USCIS records are separate from court records and are not typically included in commercial background checks.

How long does online court record removal take?

Online court record removal typically takes 2 to 12 weeks depending on the number of sites publishing your record, each platform's response time, and whether legal processes (expungement, sealing) are involved. Commercial data broker sites tend to respond faster (1-4 weeks) than legal databases (4-8 weeks). Google de-indexing adds another 2-4 weeks. Our team coordinates all removals simultaneously to minimize total time.

Do I need an expungement to remove records from the internet?

No - expungement and online record removal are two separate processes. Many records can be removed from online databases, background check sites, and Google search results without any court order. Expungement seals records from government databases; online removal targets commercial and third-party websites. Both should be pursued together for the most complete result.

Can immigration court records be removed from the internet?+

Removal proceedings and immigration court records are particularly sensitive. While EOIR hearings are generally open, we can pursue de-indexing from Google and removal from third-party databases for immigration court records that pose safety risks or involve private individuals without ongoing public interest. We've helped asylum seekers and refugees address unlawful online publication of their cases.

Do immigration court records appear on employment background checks?+

Immigration court proceedings generally do not appear on standard criminal background checks unless the case involved criminal charges. However, some background check services include immigration enforcement records. USCIS records are separate from court records and are not typically included in commercial background checks.

Public Records Guide · 2026

Are Immigration Court Records Public: EOIR, Asylum & Online Visibility

Immigration court proceedings in the United States are conducted by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a component of the Department of Justice - not the federal judiciary. This distinction matters for understanding what records are public and how to access them. Immigration court records are generally public, with crucial exceptions for asylum cases and cases involving minors. The stakes of immigration court records appearing online are uniquely high: exposure of immigration status or proceedings can have serious personal and professional consequences.

By Anthony Will Est. 2013 Published May 27, 2026 Read time: 10 min

Are Immigration Court Records Public?

Generally yes, with important exceptions:

Removal (deportation) proceedings: Generally open to the public. Hearings are typically public, and docket information is available through EOIR's automated case information system.
Asylum cases: Asylum hearings are closed to the public by default under 8 C.F.R. § 1003.27. The records of asylum proceedings are confidential under 8 C.F.R. § 208.6. This confidentiality is critical for asylum seekers' safety.
Withholding of removal cases: Also closed to the public when based on asylum-like grounds.
Cases involving minors: Juvenile immigration proceedings are closed to protect the minor.
Special immigrant juvenile proceedings: Confidential.

How Immigration Court Records Appear Online

Immigration court information reaches the internet through: For more information, visit the EOIR immigration courts.

Your record is probably showing in more places than you realize - and each one can be addressed.

Most people who reach out to us had no idea how many places their record had spread. Justia, Google Scholar, UniCourt, background check sites - each one a new place where employers, landlords, or dates might find you. A free scan shows you exactly where you stand, so you can do something about it.

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EOIR automated information: EOIR operates a hotline and online system showing basic case status (hearing dates, next event) - not detailed records, but case status for non-asylum cases
BIA appellate decisions: Board of Immigration Appeals decisions are published and indexed by legal aggregators including CourtListener and Justia
News coverage: Immigration cases, especially high-profile deportation or asylum cases, receive news coverage that is permanently indexed
Federal court PACER: When immigration cases are appealed to federal circuit courts, they become part of the PACER/CourtListener record

Most people in your position reach out right here.

You've already done the hard part - finding out what's out there. We handle the rest: every platform removal, Google de-indexing, background check database, and AI search result. No upfront cost. Completely confidential. Learn more about expungement vs. record sealing on our blog.

See What Can Be Done - Free or call us confidentially at 855-239-5322

Protecting Immigration Court Privacy

For non-asylum cases that are public:

Aggregator sites showing BIA decisions can be contacted for removal if the case is sensitive
Federal circuit court decisions on CourtListener can be addressed through CourtListener's privacy policy after legal proceedings conclude
Google de-indexing can be requested for pages displaying sensitive immigration information
For asylum cases - the confidentiality provisions are strong, and any disclosure of asylum case information is a serious legal violation that should be reported immediately

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are immigration court hearings public?

In most cases, yes. Removal (deportation) hearings at the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) are generally open to the public. However, asylum hearings are closed to the public by default under federal regulation (8 C.F.R. § 1003.27). Cases involving juveniles are also closed. The immigration judge may close any hearing for good cause, and certain national security cases are also closed.

Are asylum records confidential?

Yes. Asylum application records are confidential under 8 C.F.R. § 208.6. This means that the fact that someone has applied for asylum, and all information in the asylum application, is protected from disclosure. Unauthorized disclosure of asylum information is prohibited and can have serious consequences for asylum seekers whose safety may depend on the confidentiality of their case. This protection applies to USCIS, EOIR, and other government agencies.

Can I find someone's immigration case status?

For non-asylum removal cases, basic case status is available through EOIR's automated system (acis.eoir.justice.gov) using an alien registration number (A-number). This shows hearing dates and case status but not detailed records. For federal court immigration appeals, PACER (pacer.gov) and CourtListener (courtlistener.com) provide access to filings and decisions. Asylum cases are confidential and not accessible through these systems.

Are BIA decisions public record?

Yes. Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) decisions are part of the public record. Published BIA decisions are available on the EOIR website and are indexed by legal aggregators including CourtListener, Justia, and others. These decisions appear in Google search results. For immigrants whose names appear in published BIA decisions, this creates a permanent online record of their immigration proceedings that can be difficult to remove.

How do I remove my immigration case from Google?

If your immigration case appears online, the approach depends on the source. For BIA decisions on aggregator sites, contact the platform with a documented request and explanation of privacy concerns. For federal circuit court decisions on CourtListener, review CourtListener's privacy policy for available options. For news coverage, outreach to the publication is possible. Google's removal tools can be used for pages displaying sensitive personal information. Asylum records that are publicly disclosed should be reported to EOIR as a potential regulatory violation.

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