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2.0

EOIR Acting Director establishes procedures for off-the-record discussions

  1. Original Date Announced

    September 5, 2025

    EOIR Acting Director Sirce Owen issued Policy Memorandum (PM) 25-44, "Procedures for Going Off-the-Record During Immigration Court Proceedings," to establish procedures that must be followed by immigration judges (IJs) if an off-the-record discussion occurs. The PM cancels and replaces OPPM 03-06, which was issued under the Biden administration, stating that the prior guidance "was largely founded on other OPPMs that have now been cancelled."

    The PM states that IJs should limit all off-the-record dialogue, though they may permit such discussions "when necessary to the appropriate consideration of the relevant case." The decision to authorize off-the-record dialogue is at the IJ's discretion and can also be requested by the parties. When going off-the-record, an IJ must clearly state on the record that the parties know the recording system is being turned off; upon returning to the record, the IJ must summarize the contents of the off-the-record dialogue, and ask the parties if the summary is true and complete. The parties must also be given the opportunity to amend the IJ's summary as needed.

    Trump 2.0 [ID #2013]

    2025.09.05 EOIR PM 25-44 - Procedures for Going Off-the-Record During Immigration Court Proceedings
  2. Effective Date

    September 5, 2025

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Hearings and Adjudications
Agencies Affected: EOIR

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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com