Which building is it, and how do I get in with a car?
Look for the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building at 1 Federal Drive, then Suite 1850. EOIR's page says parking there is on-site with no charge. The catch is the route: visitor and handicapped parking areas are reached from the road in front of the building through the guard station, so do not plan on pulling straight into a lot. Leave extra time for that stop and for the metal detector and bag screening that every visitor passes inside. In EOIR's state-based listing, this is the one court for Minnesota in the court directory.
Do I need a driver's license to park at the Whipple Building?
EOIR's page does not say, but a nonprofit does. An undated packet from The Advocates for Human Rights says a valid driver's license must be shown for all vehicles entering the visitor lot, and that guards ask everyone why they are there. It tells people without a license, insurance or registration not to use that lot. It names the Park & Ride South Lot on Minnehaha Avenue, south of the building, where no license is shown. This is not an official rule and may be out of date, so call 612-725-3765 before the day if it affects you.
Can I take the light rail to the court?
Yes, according to EOIR. Its page says the court is at the Fort Snelling stop of the Metro Transit Blue Line and points to the Plan a Trip tool at metrotransit.org for the best route. The Advocates packet adds that riders walk across the parking lot to the main entrance. EOIR names no schedule, so check the tool for that day's service. For a hearing at 8 a.m. (8:00), when the court opens, aim for an earlier train. Keep your notice with you for the master calendar hearing, because it records your time and courtroom details.
What are the hours, and when does the filing window close?
Public hours and window filing hours here are the same, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (8:00-16:00), Monday to Friday except federal holidays. Unlike some courts, there is no later public closing, so the day ends at the same moment for both purposes. EOIR says the court can close unexpectedly for weather or another emergency, with changes posted on its operational status page, Facebook and X. The court will not accept faxes or electronic submissions unless staff or the judge asked for them. Anything unrequested is discarded without notice to you, so a last-minute email does not count as filing.
How do I reach the court, and why might a judge's name not match?
The court answers at 612-725-3765 and FortSnelling.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov, and Asylum.Clock.Fort.Snelling@usdoj.gov takes only Asylum EAD Clock requests. For your date, EOIR's automated line is 1-800-898-7180; the hearing lookup guide covers the steps. If your notice points to an internet hearing, EOIR's directory lists Webex links by judge under Fort Snelling, and telephone access uses 1-415-527-5035 with the judge's code. A judge's name there does not show who has your case. On October 31, 2026, the court page's staff list and the directory's Fort Snelling list were not identical.
Why are the Dakotas listed beside this court?
EOIR's Administrative Control List, updated October 1, 2026, names beside this court the St. Paul DHS office, all non-detained cases in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, and sites such as Douglas County Jail in Superior, Wisconsin. That is a general list, so your notice is what names your court. If the notice names a place far from home, it still stands: EOIR says filing a motion to change venue does not excuse you, and until a judge grants it you must appear as scheduled. That covers every date, including an individual hearing. A lawyer can explain the motion.