U.S. Department of Justice

Executive Office for Immigration Review

Office of the Director
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2400
Falls Church, Virginia 22041

Contact: Office of Public Affairs

(703)305-0289, Fax: (703) 605-0365

Internet: www.usdoj.gov/eoir

Board Issues Practice Manual and Other Documents to Assist Practitioners and Public

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has issued three new publications to provide basic information to persons involved in immigration proceedings and to answer frequently-asked questions about how the appeals process works at the Board. The publications are: the BIA Practice Manual, Questions and Answers Regarding Proceedings Before the Board, and Questions and Answers Regarding Oral Argument Before the Board.

Practice Manual

Written for attorneys and accredited representatives, including both private practitioners and government attorneys, the Practice Manual describes procedures, requirements, and recommendations for practice before the Board of Immigration Appeals. The Practice Manual includes invaluable charts and tables for quick reference.

Questions and Answers Regarding Proceedings Before the Board

This collection of frequently-asked questions about appeals of Immigration Court decisions is written primarily for individuals who represent themselves before the Board. The Q&As on Proceedings summarizes how the appeals and motions process works and helps the reader to prepare timely and complete filings. In addition to providing general guidance on appeals and motions, the Q&As on Proceedings includes references to applicable regulations and laws and a glossary of legal or specialized words and phrases.

Questions and Answers Regarding Oral Argument Before the Board

This collection of frequently-asked questions about oral argument before the Board is aimed at attorneys and representatives who request, or consider requesting, the opportunity to present oral argument.

A printed set of the Practice Manual and Questions and Answers will initially be distributed in binders to organizations involved in the representation of individuals in proceedings as well as the Immigration and Naturalization Service and other Federal agencies. Following this initial distribution, the Board will make these documents available only through the Web site maintained by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The Board has designed all three documents so that they may be printed in a looseleaf format and placed in binders. The Board will update these documents to reflect changes in law and policy and in response to suggestions by the parties using them. Revisions will be posted on the EOIR web site.

The Practice Manual and the Questions and Answers are part of the Board's overall effort to improve customer service and to make the appeals process more understandable to all interested parties. Among other benefits, the Board expects these materials to help clarify the appeals process for everyone involved, to minimize delays in the process caused by misunderstanding or confusion, and to build confidence in the efficiency and fairness of the process by helping to keep it as orderly and timely as possible.

The BIA Practice Manual and the Questions and Answers are available on the EOIR Web site.

- EOIR-