Resources for People Facing Defensive Asylum Hearings

If you or someone you know has a defensive asylum hearing in immigration court, it’s essential to be informed and prepared. Below are templates, legal alerts, and tools that can help you respond to motions, appear virtually, and protect your rights.

Request to Appear Virtually

Currently, many people feel unsafe or anxious about appearing in person at immigration court. If you'd like to request to appear virtually instead, you can use the template below. This is a sample motion that must be personalized with your own information before being submitted.

Important: The judge must grant the motion in order for the appearance to be via WebEx. If the motion is not granted and the person does not appear in person, they can be ordered removed.

The English version is the only one accepted by immigration court.

  • The Spanish and French versions are provided only for reference, so you understand what the document says.

  • A cover letter with instructions is also included to help you correctly prepare and submit the motion.

📥 Download the template and cover letter using the buttons below.

Opposing a Motion to Dismiss

Oral Opposition to Dismissal (for Pro Se Respondents)
The National Immigration Project has created a helpful template for people representing themselves (pro se) in court who wish to oppose a government motion to dismiss their case.

If the government is trying to dismiss your case and place you into expedited removal, this template can help you prepare your oral response in court.

📥 Download the oral opposition template and review the additional resources below to understand your rights and next steps.

These are other valuable resources released by the National Immigration Project:

Need Help? Join Our Free Legal Consultations

Do you have questions about how to fill out these documents, or what to expect at your hearing?
We offer free online legal consultations every Thursday from 12–1 PM (New York time). You can speak directly with an immigration attorney. Interpreters are available in Spanish, French, and Russian.