The Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer (OCAHO) is headed by
a Chief Administrative Hearing Officer who is responsible for the general supervision
and management of Administrative Law Judges who preside at hearings which are
mandated by provisions of law enacted in the Immigration Reform and Control
Act of 1986 (IRCA)
and the Immigration
Act of 1990. These acts, among others, amended the Immigration and Nationality
Act Of 1952 (INA).
Administrative Law Judges hear cases and adjudicate issues arising under the provisions of the INA relating to (1) knowingly hiring, recruiting, or referring for a fee or the continued employment of unauthorized aliens, and failure to comply with employment verification requirements in violation of section 274A of the INA (employer sanctions); (2) immigration-related unfair employment practices in violation of section 274B of the INA; (3) immigration-related document fraud in violation of 274C of the INA; and (4) failure to comply with the information dissemination provisions for international match making organizations in violation of 8 U.S.C. 1375. Complaints are brought by the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices in the Department of Justice, or private individuals as prescribed by statute.
Hearings are conducted under applicable laws and regulations, as well as the general requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act. Employer sanctions and document fraud cases are subject to administrative review by the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer. All final agency decisions are subject to review in Federal courts.
Biographical Information - Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer
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