EOIR Policy Manual, Part I, ch. 1.5
EOIR
(a) Communications Generally
Individuals with general inquiries for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) should email the agency at [email protected].
All inquiries to any immigration court or to the Board of Immigration Appeals (Board) must contain or provide the following information for each alien:
(1) Complete name (as it appears on the charging document or petition);
(2) Alien Registration Number, if applicable;
(3) Type of proceeding (removal, deportation, exclusion, bond, visa petition, etc.);
(4) Date of the upcoming master calendar or individual calendar hearing before the immigration court, if relevant; and
(5) The completion date, if the immigration court proceedings have been completed.
See also Part II, Chapter 2.3(c)(6) (Cover page and Caption), Part III, Chapter 2.3(c)(6) (Cover page and caption), Appendix D (Cover Pages). If a party has more than one case before the immigration courts or the Board, the inquiry must specify which case is the subject of the inquiry.
Individuals must bear in mind that EOIR staff, including Immigration Judges, Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), and Appellate Immigration Judges (AIJ), cannot engage in ex parte communications. As a result, no party may speak directly with an Immigration Judge, ALJ, AIJ, or other staff assigned to a given case when the other party is not present. For this reason, the Board does not reveal to the public the names of the AIJs or other staff assigned to a pending case. Individuals must serve a copy of all written communications about a case on the opposing party.
Given the volume and the varying complexity of the cases before the immigration courts, the Board, and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO), EOIR staff cannot predict processing times upon request.
(b) Press Inquiries and Requests for a Speaker
All inquiries from the press or requests from organizations for speakers should be directed to the EOIR, Office of Policy, Public Resources and Communications Division. For contact information, see Appendix A (Directory).
On occasion, external organizations (governmental and non-governmental) desire to have an EOIR representative officially participate in a speaking capacity at a meeting or event. To seek an EOIR speaker, requestors should send an email request to [email protected]. This email request should include the date, time, and location of the meeting or event, the title or focus of the meeting or event (including website link, if applicable), a list of other potential speakers, a description of the expected audience, and the topic(s) to be addressed by EOIR. This process applies whether the requestor seeks an EOIR representative from an immigration court or agency headquarters. Requestors should submit speaking engagement requests at least four weeks in advance of the meeting or event.
(c) Telephone Calls
(1) Automated Case Information Hotline - The Automated Case Information Hotline (1-800-898-7180 or 240-314-1500 or TDD 800-828-1120) provides information about the status of cases before the immigration courts or the Board. See Appendix A (Directory). The Automated Case Information Hotline contains a telephone menu (in English and Spanish) covering most kinds of cases. The caller must enter the alien registration number of the alien involved. A-Numbers have nine digits (e.g., A 234 567 890). Formerly, A-Numbers had eight digits (e.g., A 12 345 678). In the case of an eight-digit A-Number, the caller should enter a zero before the A-Number (e.g., A 012 345 678).
(A) For cases before the immigration courts, the Automated Case Information Hotline contains information regarding:
(i) the next hearing date, time, and location;
(ii) in cases with a processing clock, the elapsed time and status of the case processing clock; and
(iii) Immigration Judge decisions.
(B) For cases before the immigration courts, the Automated Case Information Hotline does not contain information regarding:
(i) bond proceedings; or
(ii) motions.
(C) For cases before the Board, the Automated Case Information Hotline contains information regarding:
(i) appeals of most Immigration Judge decisions;
(ii) briefing deadlines; and
(iii) filing instructions.
(D) For cases before the Board, the Automated Case Information Hotline does not contain information regarding:
(i) bond, interlocutory, and visa petition appeals;
(ii) motions before the Board;
(iii) appeals of motions to reopen or to reconsider; or
(iv) remands from a federal court to the Board.
(2) Board Telephonic Instructions and Procedures System - The Board also maintains a second telephonic system, available at 703-605-1007, known as the Board of Immigration Appeals Telephonic Instructions and Procedures System, which contains recorded answers to commonly asked questions, including how to file an appeal, motion, brief, change of address, or other document with the Board. See Appendix A (Directory). When the recorded information does not adequately answer the question, pressing zero for the operator connects the caller with the Board clerk’s office staff.
(3) Additional Assistance - Individuals may direct inquiries that the Automated Case Information Hotline cannot answer to the following:
- Public Resources and Communications Division in the Office of Policy (For EOIR-wide questions).
- Board Clerk’s Office. See Appendix A (Directory).
- OCAHO. See Appendix A (Directory).
Individuals must be aware that EOIR prohibits all staff from providing any legal advice and that the individual may not construe information provided by any immigration court, OCAHO, or Board staff members as legal advice.
(d) Mail
Individuals must address all items sent through the U.S. Postal Service, by courier, by overnight delivery, or via hand-delivery to the specific immigration court or to the Board’s street address. See Part II, Chapter 2.1(a)(4) (Filings); Part III, Chapter 2.1(a)(3) (Where to file); Appendix A (Directory). Immigration court or Board filings sent to EOIR headquarters will be returned to the sender. An attention line indicating the intended recipient, if the sender knows the name or office, should appear at the appropriate location on the mailing label or form. EOIR advises the parties to submit all complex inquiries in writing whenever possible and appropriate.
(e) Electronic Communications
(1) Website - EOIR maintains a website at www.justice.gov/eoir. See Appendix A (Directory). The website contains information about the immigration courts, the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ), OCAHO, the Board, and the other EOIR components.
(2) EOIR Court & Appeals System (ECAS) - The EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS) is a suite of EOIR web-based applications. Access to these applications is available on EOIR’s website. For more information, see Chapter 4.
(3) Electronic Registry (eRegistry) - Attorneys and fully accredited representatives who are authorized to appear before EOIR must electronically register with EOIR to practice before the immigration courts or the Board. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(f). eRegistry is the online process that is used to electronically register with EOIR. A list of frequently asked questions, with corresponding answers, is available on the EOIR website.
(4) Email - The immigration courts and the Board accept specific inquiries by email.
- Email generated through the ECAS suite of web-based applications.
- Parties’ requests of a copy of the official record of proceedings. See Part I, Chapter 6.1; Part III, Chapter 1.5(c)(3).
Note that the email addresses in Part I, Chapter 6.1 of the Introduction and in Part III, Chapter 1.5(c)(3) of the Board Practice Manual are only to be used to request a copy of the official record of proceedings. In addition, in rare emergency circumstances, email filings may be accepted at certain immigration courts and the Board following public notice of such capability.
(5) Faxes - The immigration courts and the Board do not generally accept faxes or other electronic transmissions sent directly without prior authorization. See Part II, Chapter 2.1(a)(7) (Faxes); Part III, Chapter 2.1(a)(5) (Faxes). However, the Board may accept faxes that are sent to a third party and then hand-delivered under certain circumstances. See Part III, Chapter 2.1(a)(5) (Faxes). OCAHO accepts faxes only in certain limited circumstances. See Part IV, Chapter 3.2(e) (Filing by Facsimile).
(6) Automated Case Information system (ACIS) - ACIS provides basic information about the status of certain cases before an immigration court or the Board of Immigration Appeals. Not all cases, or all information about a case is displayed. ACIS includes details regarding the primary case only. If there has been more than one case for the A-Number, ACIS displays the most recent case. Please contact your local immigration court if you need bond hearing information.
(f) Emergencies, Expedite Requests, Requests to Advance Hearing Dates
If circumstances require urgent action by an Immigration Judge or the Board, parties should follow the procedures set forth in Part II, Chapter 4.10(b) (Motion to advance), Part II, Chapter 7 (Stays), Part III, Chapter 5 (Stays and Expedite Requests), as appropriate.
(g) Regulations and Published Rules.
Periodically, the Executive Office for Immigration Review engages in federal rulemaking in the Federal Register. Immigration regulations are revised to better effectuate existing law and to comport with new law as it is promulgated. The public is encouraged to participate in the rulemaking process.
New regulations are published in the Federal Register, which is available online at https://www.federalregister.gov/, in most law libraries, and in many public libraries. Copies of the Federal Register are also available from the Government Printing Office (GPO) for purchase. Call (202) 512-1800 or (866) 512-1800 (toll free) or visit the GPO website at www.gpo.gov for more information on GPO publications and bookstore locations.
(h) Litigation Notices
EOIR posts recent litigation notices and other litigation-related resources on its website.
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