If you need an emergency ruling on a stay of removal from the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), there is a direct phone line you can call during business hours to request expedited action. This hotline exists for situations in which removal is imminent and a stay request is already pending before the Board.

The Correct Hotline Number

The BIA’s emergency stay of removal hotline is: (703) 306-0093

This number reaches the appropriate staff at the BIA who handle emergency stay requests. It is monitored only during regular business hours, typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

A Common Source of Confusion

The BIA Practice Manual has previously listed the main Clerk’s Office number—(703) 605-1007—as the primary point of contact. That number would then play a recorded message instructing callers to try again during business hours, even if the call is placed during business hours. Then, if ou waited through the message and navigated the menu, one of the options eventually directed you to the correct stay-of-removal hotline. You then had to hang up and call that number. But in urgent situations, time matters.

Thankfully they’ve fixed the practice manual. But in case that changes, hopefully this is a helpful reference to folks who need the number in a pinch.

When to Use the Hotline

The hotline is intended for use in cases where:

• A motion for stay of removal has already been filed with the BIA,

• The individual is facing imminent removal (usually within 24 to 48 hours),

• You are prepared to provide the A-number and basic case information.

This is not a general information line, and calling without a pending motion or imminent removal may delay attention to cases that are truly time-sensitive.

Best Practice

If you represent clients in immigration matters—or if you are a noncitizen navigating this process without counsel—it is worth saving the correct number in advance. Knowing how to quickly reach the BIA in an emergency can make a critical difference.