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 Remands Withholding of Removal Claim of HIV-Positive Petitioner from Honduras
The court found that IJ erred in suggesting that petitioner would be safe in Honduras if he kept secret his HIV status, and also that IJ overlooked key testimony that petitioner would be unable to hide his HIV status and would be persecuted in Honduras. (Velasquez-Banegas v. Lynch, 1/19/17)
BIA Holds Nevada Theft Not an Aggravated Felony Fraud Offense
Unpublished BIA decision holds that theft under Nev. Rev. Stat. 205.0832(1)(b) is not an aggravated felony under INA 101(a)(43)(M)(i) because it does not require fraud or deceit. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Vasquez, 1/19/17)
BIA Administratively Closes Proceedings on Appeal of Denial of Motion to Reopen
Unpublished BIA decision upholds prior decision administratively closing proceedings during appeal of denial of motion to reopen and prohibiting DHS from removing respondent. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Vallecillo-Castillo, 1/19/17)
BIA Orders Further Consideration of Motion to Reopen Sua Sponte
Unpublished BIA decision remands record for further consideration of motion to reopen sua sponte because IJ issued form order failing to address issues raised in the motion. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Musah, 1/18/17)
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Due to Mistyped Address
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia order because the immigration court mistyped the name of respondent’s street and the hearing notice was returned as undeliverable. Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of Avelar, 1/18/17)
DHS OIG Update on Improvements Needed for SAVE
DHS OIG provided a report on its verification review to assess the USCIS progress in implementing recommendations from its 2012 report on improvements needed for SAVE to accurately determine immigration status of individuals ordered deported.
CA9 Says “A Reason” Standard Should Apply to Claims for Withholding of Removal
The court granted the petition for review, holding that the BIA erred in applying the REAL ID Act’s “one central reason” nexus standard, rather than the less demanding “a reason” standard, to the petitioner’s application for withholding of removal. (Barajas-Romero v. Lynch, 1/18/17)
CRS Report: Rescission of the Wet-Foot/Dry-Foot Policy from Cuba Raises Legal Questions
The Obama administration announced certain changes in policy that could make it more difficult for some Cuban citizens or nationals to enter and remain in the United States. This CRS Sidebar provides answers to FAQs about the legal implications of these changes in policy.
Sign-On Letter to President-Elect Trump Regarding DACA
On 1/18/17, AILA and 867 other national, state, and local religious, civil rights, ethnic, and immigration rights organizations asked President-Elect Trump to continue DACA.
AILA and NIJC Policy Brief: ICE's Detainer Program Operates Unlawfully
AILA and NIJC summarize the legal and constitutional requirements governing ICE’s use of detainers and outlines violations of these constraints. AILA and NIJC demand that ICE be held accountable to its governing statute and the Constitution in the design and implementation of its detainer program.
Local ICE ERO Office Clarifies Changes to Cuban Immigration Policies
Local ICE ERO provided AILA South Florida with information regarding the changes to Cuban immigration policies announced on 1/12/17. Special thanks to the AILA South Florida Chapter.
TRAC Report Finds Immigration Court Priority Family Case Backlog Surpasses 100,000
This TRAC report found that, as of the end of December 2016, the Immigration Court has 533,909 pending cases. Pending priority cases for families jumped by more than 20 percent and the backlog of these family cases alone totaled 102,342 last month, surpassing 100,000 cases for the first time.
DHS Notice Eliminating Exception To Expedited Removal for Cubans Encountered in the U.S. or Arriving by Sea
DHS notice eliminating the exception to expedited removal authority for Cuban nationals encountered in the United States or arriving by sea. The notice is effective 1/13/17 and comments are due 3/20/17. (82 FR 4902, 1/17/17)
DHS Final Rule Eliminating Exception to Expedited Removal for Cubans Arriving by Air
DHS final rule eliminating the categorical exception from expedited removal proceedings for Cuban nationals who arrive in the U.S. at a port of entry by aircraft. The rule is effective 1/13/17, and comments are due 3/20/17. (82 FR 4769, 1/17/17)
EOIR Final Rule Eliminating Exception to Expedited Removal for Cubans Arriving by Air
EOIR final rule eliminating the categorical exception from expedited removal proceedings for Cuban nationals who arrive in the U.S. at a port of entry by aircraft. The rule is effective 1/13/17 and comments are due 3/20/17. (82 FR 4771, 1/17/17)
CA3 Finds It Lacks Jurisdiction to Review Denial of Sua Sponte Reopening Under “Settled Course” Framework
The court held that, under its “settled course” framework, petitioner neither showed nor allowed the court to reasonably infer that the BIA had constrained its discretion in a way that would allow review of its decision denying his motion to reopen sua sponte. (Park v. Att'y Gen., 1/17/17)
CBP Releases Muster on Changes to Parole and Expedited Removal Policies Specific to Cuban Nationals
CBP released a muster on changes to parole and expedited removal policies specific to Cuban Nationals, after DHS rescinded the parole policy for arriving Cuban nationals, commonly known as “wet-foot/dry-foot” and the Cuban Medical Professionals Parole Program, effective immediately.
CBP Releases Memo on Changes and Expedited Removal Policies Specific to Cuban Nationals
CBP released a memo with guidance on the announcement of changes to several DHS policies and regulations affecting Cuban nationals, including the rescission of the parole policy for arriving Cuban nationals and the Cuban Medical Professionals Parole Program.
USCIS Provides Guidance for Fee Exemptions for Form I-765 with DACA Requests
USCIS provides guidance for filing for an exemption from the filing fee for a Form I-765 when filed with a request for Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
Why All the Worry Over Senator Sessions as Attorney General?
The veterans among us know all too well the vast power that the Attorney General of the United States (AG) has in immigration matters, but for those who are new to the practice of immigration law, or just interested members of the press or public, here is a primer on the power of this office […
DHS OIG Issues Report Finding that DHS Lacks Oversight of Use of Force by Law Enforcement Officers (Redacted)
DHS OIG released a report stating that DHS has not done enough to minimize the risk of improper use of force by law enforcement officers. DHS employs approximately 80,000 law enforcement officers whose positions allow for the use of force as part of their duties.
BIA Holds New Jersey Possession With Intent to Distribute Near School Not an Aggravated Felony
Unpublished BIA decision holds that possession of controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property under NJSA 2C:35-7 not an aggravated felony under INA 101(a)(43)(B). Special thanks to IRAC. (Matter of C-E-L-, 1/12/17)
CA7 Affirms Denial of Asylum to Petitioner Who Claimed He Would Face Persecution by Gangs in El Salvador
The court affirmed the BIA’s denial of asylum, finding that the petitioner did not present evidence supporting his argument that, as a long‐time resident of the United States, he would be perceived in El Salvador as wealthy and face persecution by gangs if removed. (Rivera v. Lynch, 1/12/17)
H.R. 496: Bar Removal of Immigrants Who Dream and Grow the Economy
On 1/12/17, Mike Coffman (R-CO), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Carlos Curberlo (R-FL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (R-FL), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and Judy Chu (D-CA), introduced the "Bar Removal of Immigrants Who Dream and Grow the Economy" (BRIDGE Act).
S. 128: Bar Removal of Immigrants Who Dream and Grow the Economy
On 1/12/17, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced the "Bar Removal of Immigrants Who Dream and Grow the Economy," or BRIDGE Act.