Please see this sample list of trainings.
\",\"contentItemId\":\"4m6tz41v70g046znh1kyrb1bd1\",\"displayText\":\"Sample List of Trainings\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Examples\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":76,\"answer\":\"Please download the sample annual summaries.
\",\"contentItemId\":\"4a41tw4xgdhqr2gjcp0hx37758\",\"displayText\":\"Sample Annual Summaries\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Examples\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":75,\"answer\":\"Pursuant to Matter of Bay Area\\nLegal Services, Inc., 27 I&N Dec. 837 (DIR 2020), unless overruled by\\nsubsequent precedent or superseded by statute, regulation, or binding federal\\ncourt decision, prior precedent decisions of the BIA remain binding in\\nrecognition and accreditation proceedings, including consideration of requests\\nfor reconsideration and administrative review.
\",\"contentItemId\":\"4q80ba91qe294rya9yhyhn87dp\",\"displayText\":\"What authority do BIA decisions on recognition and accreditation have under the current rule?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Transition to Current Rule\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":74,\"answer\":\"As of\\r\\nJanuary 18, 2017, all DOJ Recognized Organizations are required to:
\\r\\n\\r\\nWhen\\ndetermining whether an office qualifies as an extension of the headquarters,\\nEOIR will generally ask the following questions:
\\n\\nTo have its\\nextension office approved, a headquarters does not need to meet all of the\\nfactors above; however, it should be able to meet most of the factors. EOIR\\nwill consider a totality of the circumstances to determine if an organization’s\\nrecognition should be extended from the headquarters to a separate office.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4zz2sfbr8st2x7d55yg06bzgcn\",\"displayText\":\"What factors does EOIR consider when determining if an office qualifies as an extension?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Extension of Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":72,\"answer\":\"When seeking extension of recognition, an organization should designate as its headquarters the office\\r\\nthat supervises the other organization’s offices. The organization should\\r\\nestablish that the subordinate offices have joint operations, management\\r\\nstructure, and funding sources with the headquarters. In addition, the\\r\\nheadquarters’ authorized officer must attest that he or she exercises\\r\\nsupervision and control over the Accredited Representatives in the extension\\r\\noffices. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.15.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"49pafp3nmyfts4xd0ec95vh0mg\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization decide which office to designate as its headquarters when planning to seek extension of recognition?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Extension of Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":71,\"answer\":\"Yes,\\nan Accredited Representative can work at all of the approved extension offices\\nof his or her Recognized Organization.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"40drzfvkvh61xsha0apr44g8cp\",\"displayText\":\"Can an Accredited Representative work in any of the extension offices of a Recognized Organization?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Extension of Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":70,\"answer\":\"No.\\nThe organization can share Accredited Representatives among approved extension\\noffices but must offer the services of at least one Accredited Representative\\nat all extensions on a regular basis. However, if an extension office ever\\nstops offering immigration legal services by Accredited Representatives\\naltogether, the organization has a duty to promptly notify EOIR of this change\\nso that the extension office can be removed for the R&A Rosters.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"41gyap8r4dzxmw1y8ywdg5974x\",\"displayText\":\"Must a Recognized Organization with multiple approved extension offices have an Accredited Representative at each location?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Extension of Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":69,\"answer\":\"To apply for extension of\\r\\nrecognition, a Recognized Organization must submit a Form EOIR-31, providing\\r\\nthe requested information about the headquarters or designated office and\\r\\nextension office(s). Supporting documentation should demonstrate that the headquarters:\\r\\n(1) periodically conducts inspections of extension offices, (2) exercises\\r\\nsupervision and control over its Accredited Representatives at those offices,\\r\\nand (3) provides adequate legal resources at those offices. Organizations\\r\\nshould also support the request for extension offices by submitting documents that\\r\\nshow joint management, operations, and funding sources. 8 C.F.R. §1292.15.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
The Recognized Organization must\\r\\nserve the extension application packet on the USCIS District Director's Office for which it is appropriate.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4smg8vfvt38q3wqm4w8cxe7f4d\",\"displayText\":\"How does a Recognized Organization apply for an extension of recognition to one of its office locations?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Extension of Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":68,\"answer\":\"A\\nRecognized Organization can apply for extension of recognition to any of its\\noffices at any time.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4zjy3vthydjfn7m8ezmyakmb5g\",\"displayText\":\"When can a Recognized Organization apply for extension of recognition to one of its offices?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Extension of Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":67,\"answer\":\"The\\r\\nrecognition of a branch office was available under the former rule when an organization had more than one office location. Each branch had to apply separately for recognition, but once a branch was recognized, an Accredited Representative of the parent organization could work out of a recognized branch without having to apply separately for accreditation at that branch.
The\\r\\ncurrent rule handles organizations with multiple office locations differently. An organization with multiple locations will have two options when it applies for initial recognition or renewal of recognition:
Recognized\\r\\nOrganizations that apply for the renewal of accreditation of an Accredited\\r\\nRepresentative must submit the following documentation as required by the regulations\\r\\nat 8 C.F.R. §§ 1292.16(b)(2) and (c)(2):
\\r\\n\\r\\nEOIR may request letters of\\r\\nrecommendation addressing the renewal applicant’s continued knowledge and\\r\\nexperience in immigration law.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"45qr67yekn7h710d6shj2qz7dv\",\"displayText\":\"What documentation is required in conjunction with an accreditation renewal application? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Renewal\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":65,\"answer\":\"A\\nRecognized Organization is placed on inactive status when it loses its last Accredited\\nRepresentative. Inactive status lasts for up to two years, and an inactive\\norganization must request renewal of recognition if its renewal period occurs\\nduring this two-year period.
\\n\\n\\n\\n
An\\norganization on inactive status, like any other renewing organization, must\\ncomplete the Form EOIR‑31 and provide the required documentation to establish\\nthat it remains eligible for recognition. However, because an inactive\\norganization by definition does not have at least one Accredited Representative,\\nit must also include an attestation that it intends to apply for the\\naccreditation of one or more representatives within two years from the date of\\nrenewal. EOIR has the discretion to renew recognition of an organization on\\ninactive status.
\\n\\n\\n\\n
An\\ninactive Recognized Organization will become active (i.e. removed from inactive\\nstatus) once it applies for and has approved an Accredited Representative\\nwithin the applicable period.
\\n\\n\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"49gc8kre3zbrzsj349f03gsbxp\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization apply for recognition renewal while on inactive status?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Renewal\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":64,\"answer\":\"
A\\r\\nRecognized Organization seeking renewal of recognition needs to establish that it remains\\r\\neligible for recognition under 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(a). As such, the\\r\\norganization is required to submit the below records, specified in 8 C.F.R. § 1292.14(b)\\r\\nand 1292.16(c). The renewing organization should ensure that it is the\\r\\nsame legal entity that was originally recognized by EOIR and that its original\\r\\nnon-profit and tax-exempt statuses remain intact.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
In contrast, a new organization\\r\\nseeking initial recognition would need to supply more comprehensive\\r\\nsupporting documentation under 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11.
\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4wqze4t5f3zp04g7kfvqxsqfdw\",\"displayText\":\"What documentation must an organization submit with an application for renewal of recognition compared to an organization seeking initial recognition?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Renewal\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":63,\"answer\":\"Accreditation\\nand recognition are valid for different periods and generally do NOT run\\nsimultaneously. Each renewal application must be submitted on or before the\\ndate that accreditation or recognition is due to expire.
\\n\\n\\n\\n
Accreditation\\nis valid for a three-year period. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(d). Recognition is\\ngenerally valid for a six-year period. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(f).
\\n\\n\\n\\n
An\\norganization that was initially recognized at any time before January 18,\\n2017, had to submit its first recognition renewal application by a date defined\\nin the regulations, but no later than January 18, 2020. An organization\\nthat is initially recognized after January 18, 2017, receives conditional\\nrecognition for two years and must submit its first recognition renewal\\napplication before the expiration of the two-year period. Once EOIR approves\\nthe organization’s first recognition renewal application, the organization will\\nremain recognized for six years, after which it must file for renewal on or\\nbefore the expiration of the six-year period.
\\n\\nIt depends on whether and how the multiple offices have\\r\\nbeen recognized.
\\r\\n\\r\\nUnder the previous\\r\\nregulations (before January 18, 2017), the BIA allowed Accredited\\r\\nRepresentatives to work out of a Recognized Organization’s recognized branch\\r\\noffices. An Accredited Representative that was approved by the BIA was allowed\\r\\nto continue working from these branch offices. Under the current regulations,\\r\\nthe organization must either (1) apply for extension offices so that its\\r\\nAccredited Representatives can work from any recognized location, or (2) apply\\r\\nfor each Accredited Representative separately to work at each separately\\r\\nrecognized location.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4gcr5pz3w45wp7vt2qq9fva5mp\",\"displayText\":\"If an organization has multiple offices, may an Accredited Representative work at each one?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":61,\"answer\":\"Yes. Accreditation is valid for a period of three years from\\r\\nthe date of EOIR’s approval. In order to maintain valid accreditation, an\\r\\norganization must apply for accreditation renewal on its representative’s\\r\\nbehalf on or before the three-year accreditation expiration date.
\\r\\n\\r\\nIf\\r\\na Recognized Organization timely submits an accreditation renewal application,\\r\\nthe Accredited Representative’s accreditation status remains valid pending EOIR’s\\r\\ndetermination on the application. In these cases, the Accredited Representative\\r\\ncan continue to file notices of appearance (Forms G-28, EOIR-27, or EOIR-28) on\\r\\nbehalf of his or her clients by indicating “Renewal Application Pending” along\\r\\nwith the last accreditation approval (or renewal) date, if requested.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
If\\r\\na Recognized Organization does not timely submit an accreditation renewal application\\r\\nfor its Accredited Representative, EOIR will administratively terminate the\\r\\naccreditation of the representative. Once accreditation expires, the individual\\r\\nmay no longer provide legal services as an Accredited Representative. To do so would\\r\\nbe considered the unauthorized practice of immigration law. In order to regain a\\r\\nrepresentative’s accreditation after expiration, an organization must submit a\\r\\nnew initial application on behalf of that expired representative and wait until\\r\\nthe application is approved BEFORE the individual can continue providing\\r\\nimmigration legal services.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"49es010jyj61x3q98r4wzk5xm5\",\"displayText\":\"Does accreditation expire?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":60,\"answer\":\"Accredited\\nRepresentatives who were formerly “BIA Accredited Representatives” are now “DOJ\\nAccredited Representatives.”
\\n\\nYes.\\r\\nA Recognized Organization can apply for accreditation of a representative at\\r\\nany time. Accreditation is valid for three years, after which time the\\r\\norganization would need to apply for renewal of accreditation of the\\r\\nrepresentative.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"434aqf3yva3tysfk1ht2drq44b\",\"displayText\":\"Can a Recognized Organization apply for accreditation of a representative at any time?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":58,\"answer\":\"EOIR automatically treats\\nan application for full accreditation to include an application for partial accreditation.\\nIf an application for full accreditation does not meet the regulatory\\nrequirements, it will be considered as an application for partial\\naccreditation. If the proposed representative meets all the requirements for\\npartial accreditation but not for full, he or she may be approved as a\\npartially Accredited Representative without having to submit a new application.\\nHowever, if the proposed representative is not eligible for either full or\\npartial accreditation, then the application will be disapproved.
\\n\\nYes. Pursuant to 8 C.F.R.\\n§ 1292.1(f), as a condition of practice before EOIR, attorneys and fully\\nAccredited Representatives must eRegister. At accreditation renewal, a fully\\nAccredited Representative who has not eRegistered and, therefore, has not\\npracticed before EOIR must demonstrate why full accreditation is requested and what\\nsteps the applicant has taken to maintain necessary litigation and advocacy\\nskills.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4es4qh7r0ht6a7n1k3yzx717n7\",\"displayText\":\"Must fully Accredited Representatives register with the online EOIR eRegistry program?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":56,\"answer\":\"A partially Accredited\\r\\nRepresentative can represent clients only before USCIS, while a fully\\r\\nAccredited Representative is authorized to represent clients before USCIS and\\r\\nEOIR, which includes the immigration courts and the BIA. Because a fully\\r\\nAccredited Representative can appear before EOIR without attorney supervision,\\r\\nthe representative must possess skills essential for effective litigation in\\r\\naddition to meeting all of the requirements for partial accreditation. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(a)(6),\\r\\n(c). This includes a demonstration that the proposed representative is able to\\r\\nadvocate a client’s position by:
All initial\\r\\napplications for accreditation, whether for partial or full accreditation, must at least contain the required documentation for partial accreditation. In addition, an\\r\\ninitial application for full accreditation must also show how the proposed\\r\\nrepresentative has developed the litigation skills described above, whether\\r\\nthrough training, education, or experience. For example, an organization may\\r\\nsubmit:
An\\r\\nAccredited Representative seeking renewal of full accreditation should provide\\r\\na sampling of A-Numbers of clients represented before EOIR since last\\r\\naccredited. In the alternative, if the Accredited Representative has not\\r\\nrepresented clients before EOIR during the past three years, the organization\\r\\nshould provide an explanation as to why full accreditation is requested. In\\r\\naddition to this explanation, the organization should demonstrate how the\\r\\nrepresentative has maintained skills essential for effective litigation and\\r\\ncontinued to receive formal training, education, or experience related to trial\\r\\nand appellate advocacy. The organization may do so by providing documents such\\r\\nas those listed above for initial full accreditation.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"48t43x9bjsbyq4th5btajwcfdq\",\"displayText\":\"What additional documentation must an organization submit when applying for full accreditation of a proposed representative?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":55,\"answer\":\"An organization should disclose a representative’s criminal\\nactivity, whether or not it resulted in arrest or conviction. This includes any\\noffense, past or present, other than juvenile offenses, even if the matter has\\nbeen dismissed, expunged, or diverted from prosecution in some other way. While\\nthe offense itself may not necessarily disqualify an applicant from becoming an\\nAccredited Representative, the conduct underlying the offense may demonstrate\\nthat the applicant is unfit to become an Accredited Representative. The\\napplicant should submit police records, court records, or any other relevant\\ndocumentation related to criminal charges, arrests, convictions, or activity.
\\n\\nPlease\\nnote that some convictions that are deemed “serious crimes” will automatically\\ndisqualify an individual from becoming accredited, even with a showing of\\nrehabilitation. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(a)(5). Except when the\\nrepresentative has been convicted of a serious crime, as defined in\\n8 C.F.R. § 1003.102(h), the organization can provide documentation\\nshowing that the representative has accepted responsibility for his or her\\nactions, been rehabilitated, and/or made positive contributions to society\\nsince the conduct.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4sj6tw8nbbph11tckeeg37kcdf\",\"displayText\":\"Is a Recognized Organization required to disclose any arrest or conviction of a representative, even if it has been vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged, or otherwise removed from the record, anywhere in the world?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":54,\"answer\":\"The character and fitness requirement seeks to ensure that\\nAccredited Representatives are individuals whom the public can trust to provide\\ncompetent, reliable immigration legal services. This requirement also protects\\nthe integrity of the Recognition and Accreditation Program in accrediting\\nindividuals that are upstanding, trusted members of their communities. Character\\nand fitness includes, but is not limited to, factors such as criminal\\nbackground; prior acts involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or\\nmisrepresentation; past history of neglecting professional, financial, or legal\\nobligations; and current immigration status that presents an actual or\\nperceived conflict of interest. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(a)(1). If any of these or other factors apply to a representative,\\nwhether before or during accreditation, the organization should be completely\\nhonest and forthcoming. It is better to be overly inclusive than to omit\\ninformation. The organization should be candid and demonstrate that the\\nindividual is qualified to be an Accredited Representative, and should note\\nthat EOIR has broad authority to request additional information to ensure\\ncomplete review of this important requirement.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"477mbhkfxradnzfk1qca23w2ck\",\"displayText\":\"What is the character and fitness requirement and what does it require a Recognized Organization to disclose?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":53,\"answer\":\"Federal regulations require that an\\napplication for accreditation demonstrate that the proposed representative\\npossess broad knowledge and adequate experience in immigration law and\\nprocedure. 8 C.F.R § 1292.12(a)(6). EOIR will evaluate adequate experience\\non a case-by-case basis, taking into account the proposed representative’s\\nimmigration law employment history, volunteer work, shadowing, and any other\\nhands-on immigration law background. In addition to the amount of experience an\\nindividual has, EOIR will take into account the type of experience as well as\\nthe supervision the individual received in the course of the immigration work. For\\nthe purpose of an accreditation application, EOIR will not consider experience\\nachieved while likely engaged in the unauthorized practice of law or without\\nsupervision by a licensed attorney or Accredited Representative.
\\n\\n\\n\\nEOIR encourages all of organizations to provide as much\\ndetail as possible about the representative’s experience in the representative’s\\nresume, letters of recommendation, separate supervisor letters, or any other\\ndocumentation (for example, an hourly work log).
Specific factors\\nthat EOIR considers in evaluating experience for an initial accreditation\\napplication include, but are not limited to:
Please\\nbe sure to redact any third-party client information when submitting examples\\nof work completed by the representative. For full accreditation renewal\\napplications, EOIR may request client Alien Registration Numbers (A-Numbers) to\\nassess the representative’s work before the immigration courts and BIA.
\\n\\n
For\\naccreditation renewal applications, EOIR will evaluate the Accredited\\nRepresentative’s experience using the above factors and will apply those\\nfactors to the period of accreditation from the date of last approval. Documentation\\nof the Accredited Representative’s work can include, but is not limited to:
Accreditation\\napplications should include a list of all relevant, formal, immigration-related\\ntrainings taken, including the duration of each. Calculate the durations using\\nonly time spent receiving formal instruction. Do not include hours spent in\\nself-study, homework, test-taking, or preparation for a course. Often the\\nduration will be reflected on a certificate of completion. If the training\\nconsisted of multiple sessions, calculate the time spent in each relevant\\nsession. Do not include the time spent registering, taking breaks, or eating\\nlunch.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4qe9wkt9e8t5z4ryvvt6jn9jc9\",\"displayText\":\"How should an organization calculate the duration of formal training attended by its proposed representative? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":51,\"answer\":\"An organization should provide the following information\\r\\nabout each formal training attended by its proposed representative:
Copies of PowerPoint handouts and other similar materials\\r\\nshould NOT be included in the application. See Sample List of Trainings for reference.
\\r\\n\\r\\n*EOIR is evaluating\\r\\nalternative means of identifying that an applicant’s requirements are met when\\r\\na formal certificate may not be feasible to obtain.
\",\"contentItemId\":\"4sfwzchk2132rvby53hsggprwm\",\"displayText\":\"How should an organization document the training a proposed representative has received?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":50,\"answer\":\"Federal regulations at 8\\r\\nC.F.R. § 1292.12(c) require that Accredited Representatives document all the\\r\\n“relevant, formal immigration-related training” they have taken. Proof\\r\\nof completion must include a certificate of completion or other similarly\\r\\nverifiable record. Those\\r\\nseeking renewal of accreditation must likewise demonstrate that they have\\r\\ncontinued to receive formal training in immigration law and procedure for each\\r\\nyear since the last date of approval. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.16(c) (2).
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
Training must be relevant and should\\r\\nshow that it is “commensurate with the services the organization provides….” 8\\r\\nC.F.R. § 1292.16(c)(2). If an organization only provides naturalization\\r\\nlegal services, for example, the topics covered in the trainings a\\r\\nrepresentative has taken should reflect this focus. The trainings may also\\r\\ncover other topics related to immigration law and procedure. However, when\\r\\nmaking a determination on the application, EOIR may consider trainings that are\\r\\nnot related to the organization’s stated legal services to be less relevant.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
Training must also be formal. It\\r\\nshould be preplanned rather than impromptu and taught by a qualified\\r\\ninstructor. The purpose of the training should be to educate attendees on\\r\\nspecific aspects of immigration law and procedure. Accreditation applications,\\r\\nwhether initial or renewal, should include a list of trainings attended,\\r\\nindicating the title of the training, the provider’s name, date(s) and duration\\r\\nof the training, the names and titles of presenters, the topics covered,\\r\\nwhether the training was attended in person or through other means, and whether\\r\\nthe training was open to the public. Examples of activities that EOIR\\r\\ndoes not consider formal training are self-study, case-review meetings,\\r\\nstakeholder meetings at USCIS, and volunteering at workshops. However, these\\r\\nactivities could be used to evaluate a representative’s immigration law experience.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
Finally, training must be\\r\\nrelated to immigration law and procedure. Trainings in non-immigration law\\r\\ntopics or in program management alone are likely insufficient to satisfy the\\r\\nrequirement.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4pgwap0gg9kfzzctdmsn29s9x0\",\"displayText\":\"What does EOIR consider relevant, formal, immigration-related training? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":49,\"answer\":\"A new application for\\naccreditation must include documentation of all of the proposed\\nrepresentative’s relevant, formal, immigration-related training. This\\ndocumentation must include proof that the proposed representative completed at\\nleast one course on the fundamentals of immigration law, procedure, and\\npractice. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(c). However, one course\\nalone will rarely satisfy the broad-knowledge requirement. Proof of completion\\nmust include a certificate of completion or other similarly verifiable record\\n(e.g., confirmation of attendance from host organization/trainer).
\\n\\n\\n\\n
While the specific\\ncontent and duration of a fundamentals course may vary, the curriculum should\\nbe designed to give the attendee a broad overview of immigration law as it\\nrelates to the typical clients a Recognized Organization will see. Generally, a\\nfundamentals course in immigration law should cover various forms of relief\\nbefore the immigration courts and DHS, such as naturalization, family-based\\npetitions, grounds of inadmissibility and removability, removal defenses,\\nimmigration consequences of crimes, and case management. Courses focusing\\nprimarily on the history of U.S. immigration law and theoretical concepts will\\ngenerally not satisfy the requirement without an additional practical course or\\ntraining (e.g., a law school immigration law clinic).
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"48pye0fxqqzb93y7ehge3z015m\",\"displayText\":\"What does EOIR consider sufficient for a fundamentals course in immigration law and procedure?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":48,\"answer\":\"\\n\\n
The regulation on accreditation\\nrefers to at least two letters describing proof of the proposed\\nrepresentative’s knowledge and experience; thus, the letters must address that\\nsubject, and the author must be qualified to write on that subject. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12(c).\\nThe letters should provide detailed information on the authors’ familiarity with\\nthe proposed representative’s qualifications rather than just conclusory\\nstatements that the proposed representative “has broad knowledge and adequate\\nexperience in immigration law.” The same or different letters may also address the\\nproposed representative’s character and fitness, which is helpful to support\\nthat requirement.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4gw25m2sh1msr13by3a2q1prmk\",\"displayText\":\"What should the recommendation letters for accreditation address?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":47,\"answer\":\"Organizations\\r\\nthat submit an initial application for partial accreditation of a proposed representative\\r\\nmust include the following documentation as required by the regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12:
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
The\\r\\nabove documentation is also required to support an initial application for full\\r\\naccreditation. Organizations that seek full accreditation for a proposed\\r\\nrepresentative will have to submit\\r\\nadditional documentary requirements.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
\",\"contentItemId\":\"4nsnjk4n6pw5m2dv39s4fnxcwz\",\"displayText\":\"What documentation is required to support an initial application for partial accreditation?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":46,\"answer\":\"To establish an individual’s eligibility for accreditation,\\nan organization must meet the requirements under the regulations at 8 C.F.R. §\\n1292.12, which include demonstrating that the individual:
\\n\\nOnly\\r\\na Recognized Organization or an organization seeking recognition may apply for\\r\\naccreditation on behalf of an individual. To apply for a representative’s\\r\\naccreditation, the organization must submit to EOIR a Request by Organization for Accreditation or Renewal of Accreditation\\r\\nof Non-Attorney Representative (Form EOIR-31A). Form EOIR‑31A is available on\\r\\nEOIR’s website at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/eoir31A/download. EOIR is currently accepting both the new and previous versions of Form EOIR-31A. The new and previous versions of the form are available on EOIR’s website at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program.
The organization should read the requirements for accreditation found in the\\r\\nregulation at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/19/2016-29726/recognition-of-organizations-and-accreditation-of-non-attorney-representatives)\\r\\nand be sure to include all required documents in the application packet.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
All\\r\\nmaterials submitted to EOIR must be served on the USCIS District Director’s office(s) for which it is appropriate.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"42ab66xxzh0etst71khvttmydt\",\"displayText\":\"What is the process for applying for accreditation?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":44,\"answer\":\"A\\r\\nrepresentative is “accredited” when DOJ/EOIR authorizes a specially qualified\\r\\nnon-lawyer to represent individuals in immigration legal matters. DOJ/EOIR will\\r\\naccredit non-lawyer representatives only when they work or volunteer for a Recognized Organization but will never accredit a non-lawyer representative who tries to\\r\\npractice immigration law on his or her own. A representative’s accreditation is\\r\\nspecific to the Recognized Organization and does not follow the representative\\r\\nif he or she leaves the organization.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
There\\r\\nare two kinds of accreditation: “partial” and “full.” A partially Accredited\\r\\nRepresentative may represent individuals\\r\\nbefore DHS only. A fully Accredited Representative may represent individuals\\r\\nbefore both DHS and EOIR, which includes the immigration courts and the BIA.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4b6ehgjn91hr3xqb1tqkd12144\",\"displayText\":\"What is an Accredited Representative?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Accreditation\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":43,\"answer\":\"The first time an organization submits an application for\\r\\nrenewal of recognition under the current regulation, the organization should\\r\\nprovide a summary of immigration legal services it provided for each calendar\\r\\nyear, beginning on January 18, 2017. An organization that received conditional\\r\\nrecognition after January 18, 2017, and is seeking its first renewal,\\r\\nshould submit a summary of the immigration legal services it provided during\\r\\nits first two years of recognition. The information should be separated by year\\r\\nand/or partial year from the date of the application. Thereafter, once renewed,\\r\\norganizations must submit with their next renewal request an annual summary of\\r\\nimmigration legal services provided for each of the last six years since\\r\\nrenewal. An organization should not submit an annual summary at the end of each\\r\\nyear; instead, the organization should include all of the relevant annual\\r\\nsummaries with its recognition renewal application. See the Sample Annual Summaries for reference.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4y45y3x6sepnnyqemveyypvtdn\",\"displayText\":\"When does a Recognized Organization need to submit its annual summary of immigration legal services?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":42,\"answer\":\"The regulation’s recordkeeping requirements apply as of the effective date of January 18, 2017, not before. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.14(b). Recognized\\r\\nOrganizations that pre-dated the effective date of the regulation and are\\r\\nsubmitting an application for renewal of recognition must include the fee\\r\\nschedules and annual summary of immigration legal services compiled since January 18,\\r\\n2017.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4savrzz63k188wt2qchv7s47n3\",\"displayText\":\"When do the record-keeping requirements of the regulation take effect? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":41,\"answer\":\"Yes.\\nEOIR may terminate recognition of any organization that has failed to maintain\\nthe qualifications required for recognition or that is subject to disciplinary\\nsanctions. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.17.
\\n\\n\\n\\n
When\\nrecognition is terminated, the organization loses its status as a Recognized\\nOrganization. The name of the organization and the names of any Accredited\\nRepresentatives affiliated with the organization are removed from the R&A Rosters.\\nThe organization and its staff can no longer use DOJ Recognition or\\nAccreditation status in community outreach, to file forms, or to enter\\nappearances before DHS or EOIR (using Forms G-28, EOIR-27, or EOIR-28).\\nClaiming DOJ Recognition or Accreditation status after an organization’s recognition\\nis terminated would be considered the unauthorized practice of immigration law.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4x6dvscr3jmqt6s5rerk00x3ne\",\"displayText\":\"Can an organization lose its recognition?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":40,\"answer\":\"Conditional\\nrecognition is granted to an organization that has not been previously recognized,\\nhas federal tax-exempt status pending, or has been approved for recognition\\nafter recognition was previously terminated. Conditional recognition is valid\\nfor two years.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"43m59ktyes4065k1z3zgj1ce4e\",\"displayText\":\"What is conditional recognition?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":39,\"answer\":\"Yes.\\r\\nRecognition under the rule is valid for a period of six years from the date of EOIR’s\\r\\napproval of recognition, unless the organization has been granted conditional\\r\\nrecognition, which is valid for two years. Applications for renewal must be\\r\\npostmarked by the last day of the recognition period; however, organizations are\\r\\nencouraged to submit renewal applications 90 days or more prior to the\\r\\nexpiration date.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
If\\r\\na Recognized Organization timely submits a recognition renewal application, the\\r\\norganization’s recognition status remains valid pending EOIR’s determination on\\r\\nthe application. In these cases, the organization’s Accredited Representatives\\r\\ncan continue to represent clients.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
If\\r\\na Recognized Organization does not timely submit a recognition renewal\\r\\napplication, EOIR will administratively terminate both the organization’s\\r\\nrecognition and the accreditation of that organization’s representatives. Once\\r\\nrecognition expires, the organization’s Accredited Representatives may no\\r\\nlonger practice immigration law. To do so would be considered the unauthorized\\r\\npractice of immigration law. In order to regain DOJ Recognition, an\\r\\norganization must submit a new initial application for conditional recognition\\r\\nas well as at least one DOJ Accreditation application and wait until the\\r\\napplications are approved BEFORE it may resume providing immigration\\r\\nlegal services through Accredited Representatives.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4y08v5a4my6r2w4rt8mcg0snw9\",\"displayText\":\"Does recognition expire?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":38,\"answer\":\"The authorized officer must inform EOIR of any changes in writing by U.S. mail,\\r\\nemail, or other delivery service to the department's official mailing address.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4bn1pwhmgx7eh78e4dncqxck5b\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization inform EOIR of changes?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":37,\"answer\":\"Yes. As a part of his/her responsibilities, the authorized officer of the organization must promptly report to EOIR through\\r\\nwritten correspondence any material changes to the information contained in its\\r\\napplications for recognition and accreditation. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.14(a). Failure to promptly report material\\r\\nchanges could lead to administrative termination of the organization’s\\r\\nrecognition. See 8 C.F.R. §\\r\\n1292.17(b)(5).
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4m2qknrjv011f0wdqm4z0yddxz\",\"displayText\":\"Once an organization is recognized, does it have to report changes to EOIR? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":36,\"answer\":\"It\\r\\ndepends. If an organization offers immigration legal services at an office\\r\\nlocation only through attorneys, the organization does not need to apply for\\r\\nrecognition of that location. However, if an organization seeks to offer\\r\\nimmigration legal services at an office location through a non-attorney, then\\r\\nthe organization must apply for recognition of that location and accreditation\\r\\nof at least one individual. If there are multiple office locations, the\\r\\norganization can decide to apply for recognition of the offices either\\r\\nseparately or jointly through an extension of the headquarters’ recognition.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4rxqtcr6n4ysk4nkwd969qad42\",\"displayText\":\"Must an organization that provides immigration legal services at different office locations apply for recognition at each location?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":35,\"answer\":\"Inactive status indicates that the Recognized Organization\\ndoes not currently have an Accredited Representative, although it did at one time.\\nInactive status can continue for up to two years from the date the organization\\nwas placed on inactive status, which is the date the organization lost its last\\nAccredited Representative. This allows the organization time to apply for and\\nhave approved the accreditation of one or more new representatives. The\\norganization maintains its recognition while it is on inactive status; however,\\nthe organization’s name and address do not appear on the Roster. Once at least one\\naccreditation application is approved, the organization’s recognition is\\nreturned to active status, and the organization’s name and address will appear\\nagain on the Roster. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.16(i).
\\n\\nIf\\nan organization does not submit and have approved an accreditation application\\nby the end of the two-year period of inactive status, EOIR may terminate the\\norganization’s recognition. Subsequently, if the organization wanted to provide\\nimmigration legal services through Accredited Representatives in the future,\\nthe organization would have to first re-apply for recognition.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4vv23ant80r2psdnv9c9qjc04q\",\"displayText\":\"What is inactive status, and how long does it last?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":34,\"answer\":\"The\\r\\nregulations require Recognized Organizations to promptly notify EOIR of\\r\\nmaterial changes, including changes in personnel of Accredited Representatives.\\r\\nIf all of the Accredited Representatives leave a Recognized Organization, the\\r\\norganization will be placed on inactive status and will not appear on the\\r\\nRoster. A Recognized Organization that loses all of its accredited staff is\\r\\nprecluded from offering immigration legal services unless the organization also\\r\\nhas an attorney on staff.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"48691ky3csyr311v7s84093b54\",\"displayText\":\"What happens if a Recognized Organization loses its Accredited Representative?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":33,\"answer\":\"It\\r\\ndepends. The purpose of recognition is to allow organizations to provide legal\\r\\nrepresentation to low-income or indigent individuals through non-attorney\\r\\nAccredited Representatives, whether or not the organization has attorneys on\\r\\nstaff. An organization that is offering immigration legal services by attorneys\\r\\nonly does not need DOJ Recognition because the attorneys are already authorized\\r\\nto practice immigration law.
If\\r\\nan organization is applying for initial recognition, it must simultaneously\\r\\napply for the accreditation of at least one employee or volunteer who qualifies\\r\\nfor accreditation and who will be providing services on behalf of the\\r\\norganization. EOIR will not consider applications for initial recognition that\\r\\ndo not have an accompanying application for accreditation.
If\\r\\na Recognized Organization applies for renewal of recognition but no longer has\\r\\nan Accredited Representative on staff, the organization will be placed on inactive\\r\\nstatus for up to two years as of the date the last Accredited Representative\\r\\nleft the organization. See\\r\\n8 C.F.R. § 1292.16(i). EOIR may still approve an application for\\r\\nrenewal of recognition of a Recognized Organization that is on inactive status.
To show that its staff has adequate knowledge, information,\\nand experience, an organization must submit:
\\n\\nYes,\\nbut the organization must declare and document that it serves primarily\\nlow-income and indigent clients. As the organization must be non-profit and\\nfederally tax-exempt to be recognized, the documents showing the organization’s\\nfee schedules, revenue, and budget will be reviewed by EOIR. The current rule\\nalso requires proof of organizational policies regarding fee waivers or reduced\\nfees based on financial need. The prior restrictions under the old rule about nominal\\nfees/charges are no longer applicable for the R&A Program. Nevertheless,\\nthe organization’s fee structure must be geared toward making immigration legal\\nservices available to primarily low-income and indigent clients.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4dt40wgxze8011r46fy6t8rexp\",\"displayText\":\"Can an organization charge for services?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":30,\"answer\":\"Under 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(b), an organization must\\r\\nsubmit:
\\r\\n\\r\\nThe\\r\\norganization may also submit additional documentation to demonstrate service to\\r\\nprimarily low-income and indigent individuals, such as reports prepared for\\r\\nfunders or information about other free or low-cost immigration-related\\r\\nservices that it provides (e.g., educational or outreach events).
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"48n1qdbfmeqpdr51z6tfyega5m\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization show that it primarily serves low-income and indigent clients?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":29,\"answer\":\"An\\norganization should submit paperwork evidencing that its non-profit status is currently\\nvalid with its state Secretary of State or similar agency. It is insufficient\\nfor the organization to submit documentation of its non-profit status at the\\ntime of incorporation, unless the organization incorporated within the last\\nyear.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"48mz6z36kbagkwe2tyqsg8z4x6\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization show its non-profit status?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":28,\"answer\":\"No, an organization requesting\\nrecognition must meet each eligibility requirement listed at 8 C.F.R.\\n§ 1292.11. Two or more different entities may not join forces to meet all\\nof the requirements among themselves. One of the eligibility criteria is that\\nan applicant organization must be a\\nfederal tax-exempt organization (as opposed to merely having federal tax-exempt status). A project may not use a fiscal sponsor’s\\nfederal tax-exempt status to apply for recognition. The organization that is\\nproviding the immigration legal services must meet each requirement by itself,\\nincluding being federally tax-exempt. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(a)(2).
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4qft732tyby2ftvx544g1k8fx3\",\"displayText\":\"May a project obtain initial or renewal of recognition using its fiscal sponsor’s federal tax-exempt status?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":27,\"answer\":\"The regulations provide that proof of federal\\ntax-exempt status can consist of a currently valid IRS tax-exemption\\ndetermination letter, alternative documentation to establish IRS tax exemption,\\nor proof that the organization has applied for tax-exempt status. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(d).\\nThe rule provides for alternative documentation because it acknowledges that\\nsome alternative service models may exist that can be eligible to apply for recognition. For example, DOJ/EOIR\\nhas recognized some government entities such as libraries and schools as\\nalternative service models that are tax-exempt.
\",\"contentItemId\":\"45g7x21m3k65jzgf0kde17xbc1\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization demonstrate that it is federally tax exempt?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":26,\"answer\":\"An\\norganization must submit a copy of its organizing documents and include a\\nstatement showing its religious, charitable, social service, or similar\\nmission. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(b). An\\norganization may also want to provide letters of recommendation from community\\nmembers, particularly letters showing the organization’s involvement in and\\ncommitment to the community it serves and the quality of its services.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4zt7p5ktcsg1e3vy5bryc96dm9\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization demonstrate its religious, charitable, social service, or similar mission?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":25,\"answer\":\"The rule\\nrequires an organization to supply its annual budget for providing immigration\\nlegal services for the current and past year. A budget should include\\ninformation about the organization’s operating expenses and its sources of\\nrevenue. If the budgets for the current and past years are unavailable because\\nthe organization did not offer immigration legal services during those years,\\nthe organization must supply a projected annual budget for the upcoming year. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(c). A\\nbudget should be sufficiently detailed and include:
\\n\\nIf the organization is part of a\\nlarger organization with varied services, the immigration legal services budget\\nshould be separated out of the annual budget of the larger organization.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4pxwtjecw2t96tn2pe1enczvmk\",\"displayText\":\"What kind of budget should an organization submit with its application for recognition?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":24,\"answer\":\"An\\norganization seeking initial recognition must submit the following\\ndocumentation as required by the regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11:
\\n\\n\\n\\n
To be eligible for initial recognition, an organization must\\nmeet the requirements described at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11, including:
A non-profit organization interested in obtaining\\r\\nrecognition must apply with EOIR and be approved. To apply for recognition, the\\r\\norganization must submit a Request for New\\r\\nRecognition, Renewal of Recognition, or Extension of Recognition of a\\r\\nNon-Profit Religious, Charitable, Social Service, or Similar Organization\\r\\n(Form EOIR-31). Form EOIR‑31 is available on EOIR’s website at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/eoir31/download. EOIR is currently accepting both the new and previous versions of Form EOIR-31. The new and previous versions of the form are available on EOIR’s website at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program.
The organization should also read the requirements for recognition found in the\\r\\nregulation at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/12/19/2016-29726/recognition-of-organizations-and-accreditation-of-non-attorney-representatives)\\r\\nand be sure to include all required documents in the application packet.
\\r\\n\\r\\nAll documents submitted to EOIR must be served on the USCIS District Director office(s) for which it is appropriate.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4r3vw7bc6sjgs6ays90765845q\",\"displayText\":\"How can a non-profit organization become recognized?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":21,\"answer\":\"DOJ Recognition of an\\norganization does not constitute an endorsement of the organization by DOJ/EOIR\\nbut rather indicates that the organization is qualified to provide immigration\\nlegal services through non-attorney staff members or volunteers in accordance\\nwith federal regulations. Organizations that provide services only through\\nattorneys cannot apply for DOJ Recognition because those organizations are\\nalready authorized to practice immigration law. An organization’s lack of DOJ\\nRecognition should not be construed as a comment on the legitimacy of any\\nservices provided.
\",\"contentItemId\":\"49ph698sa3vg63zydfjr4831wt\",\"displayText\":\"If DOJ recognizes an organization, does that mean that the organization provides better immigration legal services than other, non-recognized organizations? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":20,\"answer\":\"An\\r\\norganization is “recognized” when DOJ/EOIR gives a non-profit organization in\\r\\nthe United States permission to practice immigration law through Accredited Representatives before DHS only (partial accreditation) or before DHS and EOIR\\r\\n(full accreditation). EOIR includes the immigration courts and the BIA. By\\r\\nregulation, a non-profit, federally tax-exempt, religious, charitable, social\\r\\nservice, or similar organization established in the United States that has been\\r\\napproved for recognition is called a DOJ Recognized Organization.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
An\\r\\norganization that seeks to practice immigration law solely through attorneys\\r\\ndoes NOT need to be recognized because attorneys are authorized to\\r\\nappear before DHS and EOIR without DOJ Recognition or Accreditation.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4csw0m7jbx29d7n2ywa4gmnrnf\",\"displayText\":\"What is a Recognized Organization?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Recognition\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":19,\"answer\":\"Best Practices
\\r\\n\\r\\n
\\r\\nCommon deficiencies that will slow down the determination process
An organization may\\r\\nrequest administrative review if EOIR (1) either disapproved an application for\\r\\ninitial recognition or accreditation, disapproved an application for renewal of\\r\\nrecognition or accreditation, or terminated recognition or accreditation; and\\r\\n(2) denied the organization’s request for reconsideration. The request must be either\\r\\nsent by email to R-A-Info@usdoj.gov or\\r\\nby mail or shipping service to the official mailing address, in writing, and postmarked within\\r\\n10 days of the date of the letter denying reconsideration. 8 C.F.R.\\r\\n§ 1292.18(a)(1). EOIR will accept digital and electronic signatures on all\\r\\napplications submitted through the R&A Program, regardless of method of\\r\\nsubmission to EOIR. The resulting digital or electronic signature must clearly\\r\\ndisplay the signer’s name or a reproduction of the signer’s handwritten\\r\\nsignature. The signature should also include a printed (i.e., handwritten in\\r\\nprint or typed) version of the signer’s name below or adjacent to the signature\\r\\nif it is not provided in the digital or electronic signature itself. EOIR will\\r\\naccept electronically-reproduced copies of documents containing digital, electronic,\\r\\nor “wet” signatures. EOIR will also continue to accept original documents\\r\\ncontaining wet signatures. Submitters must maintain original copies of all\\r\\ndocuments submitted by email and be prepared to produce them for EOIR upon the\\r\\nagency’s request. Upon receipt, the request for administrative review will be\\r\\nforwarded to the office of the EOIR Director. The EOIR Director or any officer\\r\\nwithin EOIR whom the Director delegates other than the Assistant Director for\\r\\nPolicy (or the Assistant Director for Policy’s delegate) will review the\\r\\napplication. The organization should not submit any new material with the\\r\\nrequest for administrative review. Rather, the request should point out any\\r\\nspecific factual and/or legal error(s) the organization believes the Assistant\\r\\nDirector for Policy (or the Assistant Director for Policy’s delegate) has made\\r\\nand contain an explanation, as necessary. The EOIR Director will not consider\\r\\nnew information submitted with a request for administrative review but may\\r\\nrequest additional filings from the organization, in the Director’s discretion.\\r\\nWhere the EOIR denial of reconsideration involves the renewal of an\\r\\norganization’s recognition or a representative’s accreditation, the recognition\\r\\nor accreditation will remain valid pending the administrative review process.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\nPlease\\r\\nnote that requests for administrative review fall under the purview of the EOIR\\r\\nDirector and not the Office of Policy. As such, once a request for\\r\\nadministrative review has been made and the request forwarded to the EOIR\\r\\nDirector, neither OLAP nor the Assistant Director for Policy can provide any\\r\\nstatus updates or other information about the pending request.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4kh8r3xda8c4ysb75yzm7074wb\",\"displayText\":\"What is a Request for Administrative Review?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":17,\"answer\":\"If\\r\\nan organization believes that EOIR has made a factual and/or legal error in\\r\\ndisapproving an application for recognition or accreditation, or in terminating\\r\\nrecognition or accreditation, the organization may request that EOIR reconsider\\r\\nthe decision. 8 C.F.R. §§ 1292.13(e), 1292.16(f), 1292.17(d). The\\r\\nrequest must be mailed to the official mailing address, in writing,\\r\\nand postmarked within 30 days of the date on the disapproval or\\r\\ntermination letter. The organization should not submit any new material with\\r\\nthe request for reconsideration. Rather, the request should point out the\\r\\nspecific factual and/or legal error(s) the organization believes EOIR has made\\r\\nand contain an explanation, as necessary. Matter\\r\\nof Bay Area Legal Services, Inc., 27 I&N Dec. 837 (DIR 2020). If\\r\\nthe organization would like to submit new information, it should do so with a\\r\\nnew application. EOIR will not consider new information submitted with a\\r\\nrequest for reconsideration. Where the EOIR determination\\r\\ndisapproves the renewal of an organization’s recognition or a representative’s\\r\\naccreditation, the recognition or accreditation will remain valid pending the\\r\\nreconsideration process.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4bwns39a4vz8z3jehx5azs8vm5\",\"displayText\":\"What is a Request for Reconsideration?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":16,\"answer\":\"USCIS\\r\\nis a valued partner in EOIR’s R&A process. The regulations at 8 C.F.R.\\r\\n§ 1292.13(b) allow USCIS 30 days from service of an organization’s\\r\\napplication to submit a recommendation to EOIR. USCIS may recommend approval or\\r\\ndisapproval of an R&A application. A USCIS recommendation, either for or\\r\\nagainst approval, is not the final determination on a pending R&A\\r\\napplication. Rather, EOIR will take the recommendation into account but make an\\r\\nindependent decision based on the requirements of the regulation.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\nIn the case of an unfavorable\\r\\nrecommendation, an organization has 30 days from receipt of the recommendation\\r\\nto submit a response to EOIR. The organization must also submit proof of service of the response on the USCIS office that provided the recommendation.\\r\\nBefore\\r\\nmaking a final determination on the application, EOIR will examine the\\r\\nunfavorable recommendation and consider whether the organization’s response\\r\\naddresses the points raised by USCIS.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4gn7r88qxg5fn6g463ky1f3nw4\",\"displayText\":\"What is the consequence of an organization receiving a recommendation from USCIS, whether for or against approval of an R&A application? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":15,\"answer\":\"When EOIR receives an application for recognition or\\naccreditation, it reviews all of the documentation in the application packet,\\nas well as the recommendation letter from USCIS, if any, and issues a written determination\\non each application. EOIR mails copies of the determination letter to the\\norganization and the relevant USCIS District Office(s). If EOIR approves an\\napplication, the name(s) of the Recognized Organization and/or Accredited\\nRepresentative(s) will be added to the R&A Rosters.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"480yrwasr89we40dfg3r3g83db\",\"displayText\":\"What is EOIR’s determination process? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":14,\"answer\":\"An\\norganization must provide USCIS a copy of the application it submitted to EOIR.\\nWhen USCIS receives the application, USCIS has 30 days to review it and respond\\nwith a recommendation. If USCIS submits an unfavorable recommendation, the\\norganization has 30 days to respond. Both USCIS and the organization are\\nable to request an extension of time to submit a recommendation or response,\\nthough neither extension is automatic.
\\n\\n\\n\\n
The\\nexisting deadline stands unless EOIR grants the extension. If EOIR grants an\\nextension, it is generally not for more than an additional 30 days. Longer periods\\nmay be requested, but EOIR will not grant a longer extension request unless the\\nreason is persuasive.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4e38z98xje1z51bxmskx4ertmv\",\"displayText\":\"Once an organization submits an application, how long does it take USCIS to respond\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":13,\"answer\":\"The District\\r\\nDirector’s physical address and email address can be found on USCIS’ website at https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/become-an-authorized-provider. Enter the organization’s zip code\\r\\ninto the USCIS District Office Finder by entering the organization’s zip code at\\r\\nthe bottom of the page. The tool will provide the mailing address as well as an email address for the\\r\\napplication package and documentation. You may send all information to the\\r\\nattention of the District Director. [See example below]
[image]R&A_FAQ/example_uscis_district_office_finder.jpg[/image]
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"49xr6cqc4bxq0syzhccxgv42n2\",\"displayText\":\"How does an organization find the correct District Director on whom to serve the application packet and other documentation? \",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":12,\"answer\":\"An\\norganization must send a copy of its complete application packet to the USCIS\\nDistrict Director in the jurisdiction where the organization’s headquarters is\\nlocated and to the USCIS District Office(s) where immigration legal services\\nwill be rendered, if that is a different USCIS District. For example, if an\\norganization’s headquarters is in Dallas, TX, but the immigration legal\\nservices office is in San Antonio, TX, the organization must send copies of the\\ncomplete application packet to both the Dallas District Office and the San\\nAntonio District Office.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"41s5phbftd7j35g3nwfwkpsgxm\",\"displayText\":\"To which USCIS office(s) must an organization send copies of the applications for recognition and accreditation?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":11,\"answer\":\"In\\r\\nthis context, a “proof of service” (or a “certificate of service”) is an\\r\\norganization’s formal guarantee that it has sent an exact copy of its submission\\r\\nto the appropriate USCIS District Office(s). USCIS has the same obligation to\\r\\nthe organization when it provides EOIR any documentation in response to the\\r\\norganization’s application. Every submission related to an application for recognition or\\r\\naccreditation, whether an application, supporting documentation,\\r\\nrecommendation, extension request, response to a recommendation, or other\\r\\nformal submission, must contain a proof of service.
The proof of\\r\\nservice is located in Part 9 of the recognition application (Part 12 in the previous version), Form EOIR-31 and Part 5 (part 7 in the previous version) of the accreditation application, Form EOIR-31A. An organization should make sure\\r\\nto complete, date, and sign these sections, indicating which USCIS District Office(s)\\r\\nhave been served. An organization is not required to serve USCIS in routine\\r\\ncorrespondence with EOIR, such as reporting changes as required under 8 C.F.R.\\r\\n§ 1292.14(a).
\\r\\n\\r\\nBelow is an example of a\\r\\nproperly completed proof of service.
[image]R&A_FAQ/example_proof_of_service.jpg[/image]
Organizations should send their complete\\r\\noriginal applications and supporting documentation to the R&A Coordinator\\r\\nby email to R-A-Info@usdoj.gov, or they can\\r\\nsend these by mail or shipping service to the official mailing address. EOIR will\\r\\naccept digital and electronic signatures on all applications submitted through\\r\\nthe R&A Program, regardless of method of submission to EOIR. The resulting\\r\\ndigital or electronic signature must clearly display the signer’s name or a\\r\\nreproduction of the signer’s handwritten signature. The signature should also\\r\\ninclude a printed (i.e., handwritten in print or typed) version of the signer’s\\r\\nname below or adjacent to the signature if it is not provided in the digital or\\r\\nelectronic signature itself. EOIR will accept electronically-reproduced copies\\r\\nof documents containing digital, electronic, or “wet” signatures. EOIR will\\r\\nalso continue to accept original documents containing wet signatures.\\r\\nSubmitters must maintain original copies of all documents submitted by email\\r\\nand be prepared to produce them for EOIR upon the agency’s request.
\\r\\n\\r\\nAn\\r\\norganization must serve exact copies of the application and any supplemental\\r\\ninformation on the appropriate USCIS District Office(s). The organization must also\\r\\nprovide EOIR with proof of service on the correct USCIS District Office.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"48tmcftdysqh25tas55vygpw5h\",\"displayText\":\"Where should an organization send its applications for recognition and accreditation?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":9,\"answer\":\"No,\\r\\nthere is no fee to apply for recognition or accreditation. An organization must\\r\\nuse Form EOIR‑31 to apply for recognition and Form EOIR‑31A to apply for\\r\\naccreditation of a representative. At this time, EOIR will continue to accept both the new and previous versions of Forms EOIR-31 and EOIR-31A. The new and previous versions of the forms are available on EOIR’s website\\r\\nat https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program.\\r\\n
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"43k8xz47ajsj724y1vd0qwaxd3\",\"displayText\":\"Is there a fee to apply for recognition or accreditation?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"Application Process\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":8,\"answer\":\"Email: R-A-Info@usdoj.gov
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
Mail: R&A Coordinator
\\r\\n\\r\\nOffice of Legal Access Programs
\\r\\n\\r\\nOffice of Policy
\\r\\n\\r\\nExecutive Office for Immigration Review
\\r\\n\\r\\n5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2500
\\r\\n\\r\\nFalls Church, VA 22041
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n
Phone\\r\\nNumber: 703-305-9029
\\r\\n\\r\\nFax Number: 703-305-9884
\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4s5v724r488v6x2y23devhtk5m\",\"displayText\":\"What is EOIR’s contact information for the R&A Program?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"General\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":7,\"answer\":\"
EOIR’s\\r\\nwebsite has additional information on the R&A Program, including links to\\r\\nthe required forms, the relevant regulations, and the R&A Rosters. The\\r\\nwebsite is available at https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-and-accreditation-program.\\r\\n
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4m1yp4jqdkwaztb0arx03mwg5h\",\"displayText\":\"Where does EOIR provide information on the R&A Program?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"General\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":6,\"answer\":\"Yes, it is possible for an Accredited\\nRepresentative to be the authorized officer. The Accredited Representative that\\nassumes the role of the authorized officer must be at a sufficient level of\\nauthority within the organization to act on its behalf by completing\\napplications and certifying the truth of the contents of the applications. See 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(a)(5). In\\nthe event the authorized officer is an Accredited Representative or a proposed\\nrepresentative, this same person would complete and sign both declarations as\\nauthorized officer and proposed representative in Part 3 and Part 4 of Form\\nEOIR‑31A.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4avwkney35zc03t0es0ky2zgn4\",\"displayText\":\"Can the authorized officer and an Accredited Representative be the same person for a Recognized Organization?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"General\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":5,\"answer\":\"The authorized\\r\\nofficer applies for recognition on behalf of the organization and for the\\r\\naccreditation of the organization’s representatives. He/she must review and\\r\\naffirm the truth of all information and supporting documents provided with the applications\\r\\nfor recognition and/or accreditation. For example, the authorized officer\\r\\nshould make sure that:
\\r\\n\\r\\nThe authorized\\r\\nofficer also has the duty to report to EOIR, through the Office of Policy,\\r\\npromptly and in writing, any material changes in the organization or to the\\r\\nstatus of its Accredited Representatives, including alterations to:
\\r\\n\\r\\nSee 8\\r\\nC.F.R. § 1292.14(a). With respect to identifying a change in the designation of\\r\\nthe authorized officer, if the designated authorized officer still works with\\r\\nthe organization, he/she should notify EOIR in writing of the new authorized\\r\\nofficer. If the designated officer no longer works with the organization, the\\r\\nExecutive Director should notify EOIR in writing of the new authorized officer.\\r\\nIf the authorized officer will be out of the office for an extended period of\\r\\ntime (e.g., on vacation, on sabbatical, on medical leave, etc.), the authorized\\r\\nofficer should notify EOIR in writing prior to his/her departure with the name\\r\\nand contact information for the temporary replacement.
\\r\\n\\r\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4ac84b3s2zb08xjhq4bfajkdw8\",\"displayText\":\"What are the authorized officer’s responsibilities?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"General\"}]}},{\"sortOrder\":4,\"answer\":\"In order to qualify for recognition, an organization must have an authorized officer. 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11(a)(5). An authorized officer is someone who has authority to speak and act on behalf of the organization in matters related to the R&A Program. He or she need not be in the highest position of authority at the organization but should be someone who is familiar with the organization’s immigration services and is accessible to speak to EOIR on an as-needed basis. Each organization will have one authorized officer who will be the principal point of contact for all recognition and accreditation matters. Even an organization that has multiple extension offices should only have one authorized officer who is familiar with the full extent of the organization’s immigration services.
DOJ Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives must adhere to certain eligibility criteria and professional conduct rules. The following regulations contain a non-exhaustive list of these criteria and rules:\\r\\n
| Eligibility Criteria | Professional Conduct Rules | |
| Recognized Organizations: | 8 C.F.R. § 1292.11 | 8 C.F.R. § 1003.110(b) |
| Accredited Representatives: | 8 C.F.R. § 1292.12 | 8 C.F.R. § 1003.102 |
If you believe a Recognized Organization or Accredited Representative has engaged in misconduct, you should contact the entities listed below, depending on whether the alleged misconduct occurred before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or before EOIR and whether alleged fraud was involved.
For complaints about practice before USCIS:
DHS Disciplinary Counsel
11411 East Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI 48214
DisciplinaryCounsel@uscis.dhs.gov
For complaints about practice before EOIR:
Submit Form EOIR-44 (https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/eoir44/download) to:
Office of the General Counsel
Attn: Disciplinary Counsel
Executive Office for Immigration Review
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600
Falls Church, VA 22041
For complaints about possible fraud:
Contact the EOIR Fraud Abuse Prevention Program at:
Hotline: 1-877-388-3840
EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov
See https://www.justice.gov/eoir/submit-complaint for more information.
Please include as much information and supporting documentation as possible with your complaint.
If you believe that a DOJ Recognized Organization or Accredited Representative no longer qualifies for recognition or accreditation or if you have other concerns about the conduct of a DOJ Recognized Organization or Accredited Representative, you may email R-A-Info@usdoj.gov. Alternatively, you may mail your complaint to:
R&A Coordinator
Office of Legal Access Programs
Office of Policy
Executive Office for Immigration Review
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2500
Falls Church, VA 22041
Please include as much information and supporting documentation as possible with your complaint.
DOJ Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives are listed alphabetically on the Roster of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives (Roster), which can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports. The Roster includes the names and addresses of active Recognized Organizations and the names of their Accredited Representatives.
The Roster also identifies the type of accreditation for each representative. An Accredited Representative who received partial accreditation has the designation “DHS only” after his/her name, which indicates that the representative is only authorized to represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). An Accredited Representative who received full accreditation is authorized to represent clients before DHS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) (the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)) and has no added designation after his/her name.
\\n\\n
The federal regulations at 8 C.F.R. §§\\n1292.11 to 1292.20 govern the Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Program.\\nAt the direction of the Assistant Director for Policy, the Office of Legal\\nAccess Programs (OLAP) administers the R&A Program.
\\n\\n\",\"contentItemId\":\"4yphzdvh9y47axqk13rbenkwdq\",\"displayText\":\"What regulations govern the Recognition & Accreditation Program?\",\"topic\":{\"contentItems\":[{\"displayText\":\"General\"}]}}]"},"routed":true,"originalPath":"/resources/","redirect":true,"defaultLanguage":"en"}}},"staticQueryHashes":["1000612651","1128786045","1361938003","2545022789","2563474963","2638600681","2889313950","3537562275","631759811","806460418"]}