Original Date Announced

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) released a fact sheet on observing immigration court hearings. Among other things, it states that the Webex links posted on the EOIR website used for online immigration court proceedings are "for parties appearing remotely." The policy directs that non-party observers "should observe in person at the courtroom in which the hearing is scheduled and held." Observers are not required to check in with court personnel before observing, but may be asked to identify themselves at the start of a hearing. The announcement also directs members of the press to identify themselves to the immigration court upon arrival.

Previously, both parties and observers from the general public were permitted to access most immigration court proceedings online.

Trump 2.0 [ID #2227]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.02.27 EOIR Fact Sheet - Observing Immigration Court Hearings

The EOIR released a new fact sheet on observing immigration court hearings, with substantive provisions unchanged.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.06 EOIR - Observing Immigration Court Hearings

EOIR published an updated fact sheet on observing immigration court hearings. Compared to previous versions, the revised guidelines add additional provisions for observing internet-based immigration hearings where no physical courtroom is available. They state that internet-based immigration hearings are open to the public and subject to the same exceptions that govern the closure of in-person immigration hearings. Among other things, they provide that visitors must enter any virtual hearing room under their full legal name, which must be visible at all times; that visitors may not speak, use the “raise hand” feature, or use the chat box unless invited by the judge; and that the maximum number of visitors is limited to 20.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.07.15 EOIR PM 26-06 - Public Access to EOIR Hearings

EOIR Director Daren Margolin issued Policy Memorandum (PM) 26-05 to "reemphasize the open nature of immigration court hearings and the rules for observing those hearings." The PM states that access to immigration court hearings entails access to publicly accessible EOIR spaces, and that immigration hearings should generally be held open unless a specific exception applies. The PM also repeats the guidance contained in the previous fact sheets for observing in-person immigration hearings and Internet-based immigration hearings where no physical courtroom is available, and includes procedures for oversight and reporting violations for public access to hearings.