Immigration Professors Seek Chief Immigration Judge to Respond to Coronavirus Health Risks

Fatma Marouf has shared a letter (Download March 20 letter) that was sent to the Chief Immigration Judge on March 20 on behalf of professors who teach immigration clinics. The letter urges the Executive Office for Immigration Review to: (1) order the of release individuals held in detention and temporarily close the immigration courts; (2) prioritize bond hearings and grant subsequent bond redetermination hearings based on COVID-19 as a changed circumstance; (3) facilitate VTC and telephonic appearances by counsel and witnessesthe issuance of removal orders.We are law school professors who teach immigration clinics that provide pro bono representation in immigration courts around the country. We writeto urge youto immediately develop and implement proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID–19 at all United States immigration courts.In this letter, we offer several recommendations for such protective measures.We are law school professors who teach immigration clinics that provide pro bono representation in immigration courts around the country. We writeto urge youto immediately develop and implement proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID–19 at all United States immigration courts.In this letter, we offer several recommendations for such protective measures.We are law school professors who teach immigration clinics that provide pro bono representation in immigration courts around the country. We writeto urge youto immediately develop and implement proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID–19 at all United States immigration courts.In this letter, we offer several recommendations for such protective measures.We are law school professors who teach immigration clinics that provide pro bono representation in immigration courts around the country. We writeto urge youto immediately develop and implement proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID–19 at all United States immigration courts.In this letter, we offer several recommendations for such protective measures.

are law school professors who teach immigration clinics that provide pro bono representation in immigration courts around the country. We writeto urge youto immediately develop and implement proactive plans for the prevention and management of COVID–19 at all United States immigration courts.In this letter, we offer several recommendations for such protective measures.

Marouf specially thanked Sabi Ardalan, Ingrid Eagly, Denise Gilman, Geoff Hoffman, Erica Schommer, Elissa Steglich, and Phil Torrey for their assistance drafting this letter. 

KJ