Featured Issue: Representing Clients Before ICE
This resource page combines resources for attorneys representing clients before ICE. For information about why AILA is calling for the reduction and phasing out of immigration detention, please see our Featured Issue Page: Immigration Detention and Alternatives to Detention.
Quick Links
- Seeking Stays of Removal
- AILA Practice Pointers and Alerts (continually updated)
- Practice Advisory: Representing Detained Clients in the Virtual Landscape
- Practice Pointer: How to Locate Clients Apprehended by ICE
- Practice Pointer: Preparing for an Order of Supervision Appointment with ICE-ERO
- AILA ICE Liaison Agenda and Meeting Minutes
Communicating with OPLA, ERO, and CROs
The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) includes 1300 attorneys who represent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in immigration removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). OPLA litigates all removal cases as well as provides legal counsel to ICE personnel. At present, there are 25 field locations throughout the United States.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) manages all aspects of immigration enforcement from arrest, detention, and removal. ERO has 24 field office locations. ERO also manages an “alternative to detention” program that relies almost exclusively on the “Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP)” to monitor individuals in removal proceedings.
Since 2016, ICE has had an Office of Partnership and Engagement (formerly Office of Community Engagement) to be a link between the agency and stakeholders. As part of this office, Community Relations Officers (CROS) are assigned to every field office to work with local stakeholders such as attorneys and nonprofit organizations.
*Headquarters does not provide direct contact numbers or emails for individual employees.* (AILA Liaison Meeting with ICE on April 26, 2023)(AILA Doc. No. 23033004). However, attorneys can contact Chapter Local ICE Liaisons as they may have this information provided to them via local liaison engagement.
- DHS/ICE/OPLA Chief Counsel Contact Information [last updated in 2024, this list no longer appears on ICE.gov as of 1/27/25]
- Contact Information for Local OPLA Offices [last updated in 2024, this information no longer appears on ICE.gov as of 1/27/25]
- ERO Field Offices Contact Information*
- OPE Community Relations Officers
- ICE Check-In Scheduling Website
- ICE Online Change of Address Website
Latest on Enforcement Priorities & Prosecutorial Discretion
Executive Order 14159 (90 FR 8443, 1/29/25) directs DHS to set priorities that protect the public safety and national security interests of the American people, including by ensuring the successful enforcement of final orders of removal, enforcement of the INA and other Federal laws related to the illegal entry and unlawful presence of [noncitizens] in the United States and the enforcement of the purposes of this order. Given the January 25, 2025, confirmation of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, a memorandum detailing enforcement priorities may be issued in the coming weeks.
An unpublished ICE memo from acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello entitled “Interim Guidance: Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions in or near Courthouses” makes reference to targeted noncitizens and includes:
- National security or public safety threats;
- Those with criminal convictions;
- Gang members;
- Those who have been ordered removed from the United States but have failed to depart; and/or
- Those who have re-entered the country illegally after being removed.
Procedures and email inboxes created under the Biden Administration to request Prosecutorial Discretion no longer appear on the ICE website. AILA members are encouraged to review current DOJ regulations entitled “Efficient Case and Docket Management in Immigration Proceedings” for alternative basis for seeking termination or administrative closure.
Access to Counsel
- ERO eFile:
- An online system developed to electronically file G-28s with ERO. Attorneys and accredited representatives may register for ERO eFile accounts and may also sponsor law students and law graduates who work under their supervision. See AILA’s practice alert (AILA Doc. No. 24051506) for more information.
- ICE Attorney Information and Resources Page
- AILA Practice Alert: Updates to the ICE Attorney Information and Resource Page
Filing Administrative Complaints on Behalf of Detained and Formerly Detained Clients
- Online Intake Form for the Detention Ombudsman (myOIDO)
- Available for complaints for issues in ICE and CBP Custody nationwide, including to submit complaints about access to counsel problems on behalf of currently or previously detained clients.
- Online Complaint Form for DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL)
- Oversight of Immigration Detention: An Overview - May 16, 2022
(provides a list of agencies with which attorneys may file administrative complaints of detention center violations) - Immigration Judge Complaint Toolkit – August 31, 2022
- Practice Alert: Template for CRCL Complaint Regarding Failures to Provide Language Access – July 16, 2021
Selected ICE Policies and Current Status
For comprehensive comparison of current and prior ICE policies, please review the “Immigration Policy Tracker (IPTP).” The IPTP is a project of Professor Lucas Guttentag working with teams of Stanford and Yale law students and leading national immigration experts.
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Browse the Featured Issue: Representing Clients Before ICE collection
CA7 Finds IJ Gave Full Opportunity to Seek Asylum; Rejects Equal Pro. Claim
The court held that Petitioner was given the opportunity to apply for asylum. It also held it lacked jurisdiction to review whether NSEERS violated equal protection. (Hussain v. Keisler, 10/24/07)
CA11 Finds Motion to Reconsider a MTR Denial Not Subject to Numerical Bar
The court found that the plain language of §1003.2(b)(2) does not prohibit the filing of a second motion to reconsider if it is for a different BIA decision. It also held that the facts in this case did not merit a remand to the agency. (Calle v. U.S. Att’y Gen., 10/23/07)
CA3 on Presumption of Receipt for Hearing Notices Sent by Regular Mail
The court held that for purposes of rescinding an in absentia order, a strong presumption of receipt of the hearing notice applies when the notice is sent by certified mail and a weaker presumption applies when it is sent by regular mail. (Gonzalez v. Att’y Gen. of the U.S., 10/22/07)
CA5 Holds IJ Has Jurisdiction Over Portability Determinations Under INA §204(j)
The court held that immigration judges have jurisdiction to determine whether an approved employment-based visa qualifies for portability under INA §204(j). (Sung v. Keisler, 10/22/07)
CA6 Upholds Discretionary Denial of Asylum Due to 3 DUI Convictions
The court held that the IJ may consider an asylum applicant’s convictions for an offense like DUI, regardless of whether it is a crime of moral turpitude or a particularly serious crime. (Kouljinski v. Keisler, 10/16/07)
CA1 Rejects “Disfavored Group” Doctrine in Indonesian Asylum Case
The court rejected the “disfavored group” doctrine, noting that the regulations do not require the agency to automatically credit group discrimination to an individual, and that Congress had not delegated authority to the courts to do so. (Kho v. Keisler, 10/16/07)
CA9 Finds Bangladeshi Bihari Eligible for Asylum and Disfavored Group Member
The court held that the cumulative effect of the harms that Petitioner suffered as a Bihari was so severe that no reasonable fact-finder could conclude that it did not rise to the level of persecution. (Ahmed v. Keisler, 10/16/07)
ICE / DRO Memo on Strip Search Policy for DHS Detainees
A 10/15/07 memo from ICE DRO Director, John P. Torres, revising the National Detention Standards regarding detainee strip searches.
GAO Recommends Guidance for ICE Exercise of Discretion
This GAO report recommends that ICE update exercise of discretion guidance to include factors officers should consider when making apprehension and removal decisions and ensure that officers are provided timely information on legal developments affecting discretionary decisions.
BIA Finds No Conflict Between Law and Regulation Relating to Extreme Hardship Waiver
The BIA held that there is no conflict between the INA and the regulation where both provide the same start date in determining a conditional permanent resident’s application for an extreme hardship waiver and only the statute provides an end date. Matter of Singh, 24 I&N Dec. 331 (BIA 2007)
CA1 Rejects Salvadoran Gang-Based Asylum Claim
The court upheld the denial of asylum, finding that the IJ and BIA’s conclusion that the Salvadoran government was willing and able to confront Petitioner’s potential persecutor was supported by substantial evidence. (Ortiz-Araniba v. Keisler, 10/11/07)
CA2 Upholds IJ’s Refusal to Grant Continuance Pending Adjudication of Labor Certification
The court held that the immigration judge did not abuse his discretion in declining to grant multiple continuances in order to permit adjudication of Petitioner’s pending application for labor certification. (Elbahja v. Keisler, 10/10/07)
CA9 Holds CA Theft of a Vehicle is Not Categorically an Aggravated Felony
The court held that a conviction under Cal. Vehicle Code §10851(a) for theft of a vehicle is not categorically an aggravated felony under INA §101(a)(43)(G) because it applies not only to principles and accomplices, but also to accessories after the fact. (United States v. Vidal, 10/10/07)
BIA on Timeliness of MTR and Discrepancies in Stokes Interview
In an unpublished opinion, the BIA held that the thirty-day deadline for motions to reopen USCIS decisions begins on the postmark date and that discrepancies in a Stokes interview are not fatal where there are good solid reasons rebutting the discrepancies. Courtesy of Alan Lee.
CA9 Finds CA Statutory Rape Statute Does Not Categorically Involve Moral Turpitude
The court held that Cal. Penal Code §261.5(d), which prohibits engaging in intercourse with a minor under the age of 16 where the perpetrator is 21 years of age or older, is not categorically a crime involving moral turpitude. (Quintero-Salazar v. Keisler, 10/9/07)
CA3 Finds Jurisdiction Over Legal and Constitutional Challenges to Reinstatement Orders
The court held that INA §242(a)(2)(D) permits jurisdiction to review constitutional claims and questions of law as they apply to final orders that have been reinstated under INA §241(a)(5). (Debeato v. Att’y Gen. of the U.S., 10/9/07)
CA7 Rejects Pakistani Asylum Claim Based on 1-Year Deadline & Lack of Nexus
The court upheld the IJ findinsg that Petitioner failed to show extraordinary circumstances to excuse his delay in filing for asylum and that that his fear of persecution was on account of a protected ground. (Tariq v. Keisler, 10/9/07)
Respect Rights and the Rule of Law, Stop Indiscriminate Raids!
AILA calls on the government to respect the rule of law and individuals' rights in its immigration "enforcement" actions.
ICE Arrests More Than 1,300 in L.A. Area Sweep
On October 3, 2007, ICE announced that more than 1,300 foreign nationals were arrested during a two-week operation in the Los Angeles area. Press statement also highlights the Fugitive Operation Support Center.
Fact Sheet on Findings Concerning Forms I-867 and I-870
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom fact sheet on findings concerning Forms I-867 and I-870 from a congressionally-mandated study on asylum seekers in expedited removal.
ICE Detainee Handbook
This handbook provides resources for detainees including information on detainee rights and responsibilities, medical care, attorney visits, know your rights presentations and other topics.
USCIS Memo DRO/OI Protocols and Handling Unaccompanied Alien Children
On 8/20/07, the Office of Investigations (OI) and Office of Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) jointly issued protocols providing national guidance regarding various issues. Please read the full memorandum for all information.
Immigration Law Advisor, September 2007 (Vol. 1, No. 9)
Immigration Law Advisor with an article on issues arising in coercive population control asylum claims, federal court activity for August 2007, an article on recent developments on the issue of notice and delivery, update on recent BIA precedent decisions, and a regulatory update.
DHS Memo on INA §236 Release Versus INA §212(d)(5) Parole
This 09/28/07 memo from Gus P. Coldebella of the DHS Office of General Counsel clarifies the relationship between INA §236 release and INA §212(d)(5) parole. Courtesy of AILA member Dan Kowalski via FOIA request.
BIA Rules IJ May Look Outside Record of Conviction For Loss Determination
The BIA held that a single ground for removal may require proof of conviction tied to the statutory elements of a criminal offense, as well as proof of an additional fact or facts that are not tied to the statutory elements of any such offense. Matter of Babaisakov, 24 I&N Dec. 306 (BIA 2007)