1.5 - Public Access

(a) Immigration Courts– 

         With certain exceptions, hearings before Immigration Judges are open to the public.  See Chapter 3.8 (Public Access).  The public’s access to immigration hearings is discussed in Chapter 3.13 (Access to Court).  For additional information on the conduct of hearings, see Chapter 3.11 (Courtroom Decorum), 3.12 (Electronic Devices). 

(b) Records 

     (1) Inspection by parties - Parties to a proceeding may inspect or request a copy of the official record of proceedings.  See Part I, Chapter 6.1 (Requests for Records of Proceedings (ROPs)). 

     (2) Inspection by non-parties - Persons or entities who are not a party to a proceeding must file a request for information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act to obtain a copy of the record of proceedings.  See Part I, Chapter 6.2 (FOIA Requests). 

  (3) Electronic Records – For cases with electronic records of proceedings (eROPs), eligible parties may view and download the eROP through the EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS).

(c) Public Inquiries – See Part I, Chapter 1.5 (Public Inquiries).