DOJ's Immigration Court Practice Manual

The DOJ Office of the Chief Immigration Judge has released of the Immigration Court Practice Manual (pdf), which sets forth uniform procedures, recommendations, and requirements for practice before the Immigration Courts. The Practice Manual's requirements are binding on the parties who appear before the Immigration Courts, unless the Immigration Judge directs otherwise in a particular case. The Practice Manual does not limit the discretion of Immigration Judges to act in accordance with law and regulation.

Effective Date. In order to provide the public an opportunity to become familiar with the Immigration Court Practice Manual, it will not go into effect until July 1, 2008. Beginning on that date, Local Operating Procedures will no longer be used, and parties will be expected to follow the Practice Manual. [RJ]