On October 7, 2026, a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect biometrics for people whose cases are pending before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) while they are detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This resource explains how legal representatives can advocate for clients in detention who need biometrics.
This guide provides a general overview of prolonged immigration detention and strategies for release.
These questions are meant to supplement NIJC’s quick-start guide on voluntary departure. Practice around voluntary departure (VD) is variable depending
Voluntary departure (VD) is a way for someone to avoid an order of removal on their record by agreeing to
leave the U.S. at their own expense while meeting certain conditions. Voluntary departure is a benefit
available to detained and non-detained individuals seeking to return to their home country. Voluntary
departure is especially useful for people who may have a legal pathway to return to the U.S., such as a
family petition. In some cases, it may be the only relief available, but in other cases, the government may
use it as leverage to convince someone to waive their rights or waive other relief when it is of little to no
help.
An index of documents immigration legal practitioners may use as a starting place for research.
In order to obtain criminal records for an individual you should contact the court clerk for the county where the case was tried.
Templates for planning and notetaking for master calendar, bond, and merits hearings before the immigration court.
A curated list of resources for attorneys filing motions to reopen removal proceedings and stays of removal.
Map and Location Coverage List (adjusted for time zones) for the Gonzalez Detainers Class Action Settlement.
SIJS Predicate Order cases are discrete matters that can be completed in as little as six weeks, depending on the complexity and type of case. This is a general timeline to assist pro bono teams in calendaring their case.
Guidance for legal representatives on the meaning of the Garcia Ramirez decision when representing unaccompanied children who are approaching their 18th birthdays.
