U.S. immigration laws are rather complex. The body of immigration law may be compared only to tax law in its complexity. Hiring a lawyer is a good move since even minor mistakes in a visa application may lead to a denial or years-long delays. Your task as an attorney is to guide the client through every step of the process, including preparation of the paperwork, researching the law and preparing the client for the hearing. Apart from your main duties as an attorney, you need to know some technical and administrative matters relating to immigration cases. Particularly, you need to register with EOIR in order to practice before EOIR immigration court and the Board.

Is eRegistry With EOIR Mandatory for Attorneys?

Effective December 10, 2013, EOIR established a mandatory electronic registry for attorneys and fully accredited representatives (“eRegistry”). The registration consists of online registration and identity validation. An attorney needs to complete both steps in order to get registered with EOIR. Once you register through eRegistry, you will have access to eINFO.

Why Should I Register with eRegistry?

eRegistry is part of the program to create an electronic case access and filing system for the Immigration Court and the Board. Attorneys and accredited representatives are able to view certain client information. They can as well file electronically the form EOIR-27 and EOIR-28.

What Happens if I Do Not Register?

If you have a case pending with EOIR and you fail to register, EOIR may administratively suspend you from practicing before the agency. If you attempt to appear before EOIR without a registration a number of times, you may face disciplinary sanctions. If you are subject o administrative suspension, you can resume practicing before EOIR after the registration.

Is it Possible to Appear Before the Immigration Court or the Board if I Do Not Register?

You can appear before the Immigration Court for one hearing but you cannot appear before the Board. Even this one hearing is allowed in extremely exceptional situations. The attorney or the accredited representative must provide the information required for the registration and get registered right after the hearing.

Who is an Attorney According to EOIR?

EOIR defines an attorney as “any person who is eligible to practice law in and is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of any state, possession, territory, or commonwealth of the United States, or of the District of Columbia, and is not under any order suspending, enjoining, restraining, disbarring, or otherwise restricting him in the practice of law.”

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