As part of its ongoing efforts to improve access to the immigration court system, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is establishing a new leadership position within its Office of the Director. This role will focus on enhancing access to the immigration system and finding innovative ways to increase representation rates for noncitizens in immigration court. The new leader will serve as EOIR’s public-facing point of contact for government and public stakeholders.
This leadership role will also work on amplifying interagency immigration access initiatives by proactively communicating information about available immigration services across government agencies. Additionally, they will collaborate with other government entities to determine how best to increase access to the immigration court system overall. They will also act as a central coordinator for feedback on access and representation concerns in the immigration court system and lead efforts to design responsive programming.
EOIR continues to expand its ongoing access initiatives, including:
Respondent Access Portal: In July, EOIR announced the launch of the Respondent Access Portal, a secure online platform that allows unrepresented noncitizens with proceedings before EOIR to view case information and scheduled hearings, download their electronic case record, and file documents directly with the immigration court. The portal aims to improve transparency and help noncitizens better navigate the immigration court system.
Attorney of the Day Program: This program involves licensed attorneys providing unrepresented noncitizens in immigration court with general information about proceedings and relief options while attending preliminary hearings. Attorneys may be volunteers, legal service providers, or law school clinicians assisted by student practitioners. By the end of FY24, EOIR plans to expand this program to three additional courts: Hyattsville, New York-Varick Street, and Atlanta-Peachtree. Currently, it is available in San Francisco, New Orleans, and Chicago.
Law School Working Group: This group facilitates law school clinic representation in immigration court by holding merits hearings during academic semesters and increasing student engagement at hearings through roles such as Friends of the Court or limited representation. Over the next few months, meetings are planned with law school representatives in DC and surrounding areas, Philadelphia, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Model Hearing Program: This program provides current and future immigration law practitioners with substantive and practical information about practices and procedures in immigration court. It includes live events at courts, recorded model hearings available on demand, substantive law seminars, and resources through the Immigration Court Online Resource website. Approximately 3,000 individuals have received training through this program so far. Another live session is planned for September.
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