U.S. Department
of Justice
Model Hearing Program Resources
Introduction
This training video provides an overview of EOIR’s Model Hearing Program and immigration court processes and procedures.
For more information, please review EOIR’s Immigration Court and Appellate Process Immigration Court and Appellate Process slides and our Resources for Representatives webpage.
Live Model Hearing Program (MHP) events are hosted by local immigration courts either in person or via Webex. At the events, attendees observe live initial master calendar model hearings and live individual model hearings. Attendees also receive an overview on the substantive law topics covered in the hearings, as well as learn about immigration court practices and procedures.
Generally, during the model hearings, an experienced representative from the private bar will perform the role of respondent's representative and an attorney from the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) regional Chief Counsel's Office will perform the role of the DHS attorney.
If you are interested in attending an MHP event, please email EOIR at PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov, noting the name(s) of the attendee(s), any relevant organization, and a valid email address. Please note that attendance is not guaranteed as space is limited. Event information will be sent to confirmed attendees.
If you have questions about the MHP, please contact EOIR at PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov. EOIR also welcomes your feedback and suggestions.
Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the U.N. Convention Against Torture
The recorded MHP videos consist of a substantive law lecture on the legal topics underlying the model hearings, an initial Master Calendar model hearing, and an Individual model hearing.
Substantive Law Lecture
In this lecture, EOIR provides a basic overview of the legal framework underlying Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture claims. This short lecture is not a comprehensive review of these complex legal topics. EOIR encourages you to learn more by conducting your own research and consulting the relevant legal authorities, including statutes, regulations, and case law.
The substantive law lecture slides are available for download.
The following MHP videos provide an overview of immigration court proceedings and helpful information for representatives appearing before EOIR through simulated case scenarios similar to ones that come before the immigration courts. All hearing roles are played by EOIR employees. You may wish to review the corresponding mock record of proceedings before watching these videos.
Master Calendar Model Hearing
Video: Model Master Calendar Hearing
Individual Model Hearing
Video: Model Individual Hearing
Note: Verify that you are submitting the most current version of the Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. Please also see the corresponding instructions.
The following documents provide useful background for understanding the live MHP events and videos relating to Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection Under the U.N. Convention Against Torture:
T Nonimmigrant Status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Human Trafficking, and Adjustment of Status
The recorded MHP videos consist of substantive law lectures on the legal topics underlying the model hearings, an initial Master Calendar model hearing, and an Individual modeling hearing.
Substantive Law Lecture
In this lecture, EOIR provides a basic overview of the legal framework underlying T Nonimmigrant Status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and Adjustment of Status. It also briefly discusses human trafficking. This short lecture is not a comprehensive review of these complex legal topics. EOIR encourages you to learn more by conducting your own research and consulting the relevant legal authorities, including statutes, regulations, and case law.
The substantive law lecture slides are available for download.
[Video Content Coming Soon]
Human Trafficking Overview
In this video, the Department of Justice's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit gives an overview of issues pertaining to human trafficking.
[Video Content Coming Soon]
The following MHP videos provide an overview of immigration court proceedings and helpful information for representatives appearing before EOIR through simulated case scenarios similar to ones that come before the immigration courts. All hearing roles are played by EOIR employees. You may wish to review the corresponding mock record of proceedings before watching these videos.
Master Calendar Model Hearing
[Video Content Coming Soon]
Individual Model Hearing
[Video Content Coming Soon]
Note:
Verify that you are submitting the most current versions of the following:
- Form I-914, Application for T Nonimmigrant Status (and see the corresponding instructions);
- Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (and see the corresponding instructions); and
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (and see the corresponding instructions).
The following documents provide a useful background for understanding the live MHP events and videos relating to T Nonimmigrant Status, juveniles, human trafficking, and Adjustment of Status.
Related Resources
EOIR has collected resources that may be useful when representing individuals in immigration proceedings.
The materials provided are not a substitute for legal advice and research. The materials do not constitute a legal opinion by the Department of Justice and do not create any rights or benefits. EOIR does not control nor guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, nor completeness of information contained on an external website.
The List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers is an essential tool for informing individuals in proceedings before EOIR of available pro bono legal services.
Attorneys interested in representing an individual before the immigration court on a pro bono basis may be interested in consulting the list to find non-profit organizations with which to volunteer.
If you are a non-profit organization, pro bono referral service, or attorney in private practice and wish to be included on the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers, please refer to the eligibility requirements set forth at 8 C.F.R. § 1003.61 et seq.
If you believe you are eligible and wish to be included on the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers, please apply through the Pro Bono Portal.
Any information provided as part of the Model Hearing Program (MHP) is intended solely as an educational resource for legal advocates to improve the quality of advocacy before the immigration courts. Any information provided by the MHP does not replace any Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) manual, policy, publication, or case law, and may not be construed to create or limit any rights enforceable by law. The information provided as part of the MHP, including anything communicated orally or in writing, is not legal advice and does not constitute any legal opinion by the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security. The case scenarios included in the MHP are fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual cases is purely coincidental. Nothing herein should be construed as mandating a particular outcome in any specific case.