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.
| Pre Jan 20, 2025 Status | Current Status |
|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Browse the Featured Issue: Representing Clients Before ICE collection
BIA Rescinds In Absentia Order Under Totality of the Circumstances
Unpublished BIA decision rescinds in absentia removal order due to affidavits demonstrating lack of notice, respondent’s diligence in seeking reopening, and potential eligibility for cancellation of removal. (Matter of Sanchez, 2/10/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Finds Respondent Did Not Knowingly Waive Right to Appeal
Unpublished BIA decision finds pro se respondent did not understand exchange with IJ to constitute knowing and intelligent waiver of right to appeal. (Matter of Ajche, 2/10/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Holds Florida Drug Trafficking Not an Aggravated Felony
Unpublished BIA decision holds that "trafficking" of drugs under Fla. Stat. 893.135(1)(c)(1)(c) not an aggravated felony because statute covers simple possession and does not proscribe conduct that is a federal felony (Matter of Rivas, 2/7/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Summarily Affirms Decision Finding Respondent Mentally Competent
Unpublished BIA decision affirms without opinion IJ decision finding respondent to be sufficiently mentally competent to represent himself under Matter of M-A-M-. (Matter of Castillo, 2/7/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Reverses IJ Denial of Joint Motion to Reopen
Unpublished BIA decision says respondent’s failure to submit relief application and IJ concerns over timing of marriage not proper basis to deny joint motion to reopen. (Matter of Laurence, 2/7/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Finds Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Due to Failure to Contest Removability
Unpublished BIA decision finds prior attorney provided ineffective assistance by failing to contest removability where conviction records did not sufficiently demonstrate type or amount of controlled substances. (Matter of Barrios Rojas, 2/7/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Remands to Consider Eligibility for DACA or Provisional Waiver
Unpublished BIA decision remands for adjudication of motion to reopen based on desire to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or provisional unlawful presence waiver (Form I-601A). (Matter of Avalos-Avalos, 12/31/13) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Holds Former Gang Members Who Renounce Gang Membership Are Not a Particular Social Group
The BIA clarified the “social visibility” element required to establish a particular social group (PSG), renamed the element “social distinction,” and held that former members of an El Salvadoran gang who renounced their membership is not a PSG. Matter of W-G-R-, 26 I&N Dec. 208 (BIA 2014).
BIA Renames “Social Visibility” Element in Asylum Cases as “Social Distinction,” Clarifies Meaning
The BIA held the “social visibility” element required to establish a particular social group (PSG) doesn’t mean a literal or ocular visibility, renamed the element “social distinction,” and clarified the elements required to establish a PSG. Matter of M-E-V-G-, 26 I&N Dec. 227 (BIA 2014)
Practice Alert: Signing Up for E-mail Updates from EOIR
Practice alert on how to sign up to receive e-mail updates from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) on items posted to the EOIR Virtual Law Library.
BIA Sustains Asylum Appeal, Finds Coerced FGM Is Persecution
Unpublished BIA decision sustaining appeal, finding that women who violate gender-specific social norms constitute a particular social group and FGM was inflicted as a result of coercion sufficient to amount to persecution within the meaning of INA 101(a)(42). Courtesy of Aleksander Milch.
BIA Remands for Consideration of Asylum Application
Unpublished BIA decision finds respondent did not knowingly waive appeal and remands record because IJ did not provide opportunity to apply for asylum after expression of fear in El Salvador. (Matter of Melgar de Iglesias, 2/6/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
CA5 Holds Noncitizen Does Not Have to Maintain Asylum Status in Order to Adjust
The court held that INA §209(b) is not ambiguous and that its plain wording does not require a noncitizen to maintain his asylum status to apply for adjustment of status under the statute, and vacated the BIA’s decision ordering removal. (Siwe v. Holder, 2/6/14)
DHS Privacy Impact Assessment Report on ICE’s Electronic Travel Document System
DHS Privacy Impact Assessment report on ICE’s electronic Travel Document System, which allows ICE to request, and foreign consular officials to review and adjudicate, travel document requests for those ordered removed or granted voluntary departure but do not possess valid travel documents.
CA4 Denies Chinese Religious Persecution Claim and Remands Forced Sterilization Claim
The court remanded the forced sterilization claim, as the BIA relied on the 2007 DOS China Report and did not account for the contrary evidence that parents of two U.S.-born children could face persecution in China. (Chen v. Holder, 2/5/14)
BIA Reopens Proceedings Due to Attorney Failure to Seek Relief
Unpublished BIA decision reopens proceedings due to ineffective assistance of counsel where the respondent’s prior attorney conceded failure to seek voluntary departure or administrative closure. (Matter of Barrera, 2/5/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Remands Record Due to USCIS Delay in Forwarding I-130 Appeal
Unpublished BIA decision states that when respondent in removal proceedings is separately appealing denial of I-130, any delay by USCIS in forwarding record to Board is a factor in favor of granting continuance. (Matter of Ngema, 2/5/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Reverses Denial of 212(k) Waiver
Unpublished BIA decision finds eligibility for 212(k) depends on applicant’s state of mind at time of initial admission rather than re-entry, and that failure to alert authorities of potential fraud is not adverse discretionary factor. (Matter of Shin, 2/4/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
BIA Recognizes Effeminate Gay Males from Mexico as Particular Social Group
Unpublished BIA decision finds effeminate gay males from Mexico with female gender identities to qualify as particular social group for purposes of asylum and withholding of removal. (Matter of M-G-O-, 2/4/14) Special thanks to IRAC.
EOIR Updates to Immigration Court Practice Manual
The Office of the Chief Immigration Judge alert on updates to the Table of Contents, Glossary, and Indexes of the Immigration Court Practice Manual. Updates relate to changes to lodging asylum applications in Chapters 3 and 4, and to include a definition of “lodged asylum application.”
EOIR Adds Country Conditions Resource Information to Virtual Law Library
EOIR press release on resources that are now available in EOIR’s Virtual Law Library, including publicly available information on 54 countries, with documents on multiple aspects of country conditions that could be relevant to respondents before the immigration courts and the BIA.
DHS Privacy Impact Assessment Report on CasePro System
DHS Privacy Impact Assessment report on the Center Adjudication System Electronic Processing system (CasePro), which automatically processes filings for Temporary Protected Status, Deferred Enforced Departure, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
DOJ OIL February 2014 Litigation Bulletin
The DOJ OIL Immigration Litigation Bulletin for February 2014, with articles on BIA’s clarification on the elements of particularity and social visibility to establish a particular social group, Silva-Trevino v. Holder, and TPS for Haiti, as well as circuit court decisions for February 2014.
Immigration Law Advisor, January 2014 (Vol. 8, No. 1)
Immigration Law Advisor, a legal publication from EOIR, with articles on special immigrant juveniles, circuit court decisions for December 2013 and calendar year 2013 totals, summary of BIA precedent decisions, and a regulatory update.
Immigration Law Advisor, February 2014 (Vol. 8, No. 2)
Immigration Law Advisor, a legal publication from EOIR, with articles on social “visibility,” summary of recent circuit court decisions for January 2014, summary of BIA precedent decisions, and a regulatory update.