Immigration Court
Procedures & Practices
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Immigration Court
Procedures & Practices
Introduction to INS & Colorado’s Immigration Courts
Immigration Court: Arrival Procedures
Interview Procedures:
Wackenhut Cases
Federal Building Cases
Courtroom Procedures:
Wackenhut
Federal Building
Master v. Merits
Merits Hearing Schedule
Post-Hearing Procedures
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Immigration Court
Procedures & Practices
Introduction to INS & Colorado’s
Immigration Courts
INS
The Federal Building
Wackenhut
The Judges
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INS Office
Address:
4730 Paris Street
Denver, CO 80239
Phone Numbers:
(800) 375-5283
(customer service)
(303) 371-5606 (deport)
(303) 371-5066 (exams)
(303) 371-4711 (TAs)
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday
7:30AM-2:30PM
Parking
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The Federal Building
Address:
1961 Stout Street, Room
1403
Denver, CO 80294
Phone Number:
(303) 844-5815 (EOIR)
(800) 898-7180
(electronic info system)
(303) 844-0787 (INS)
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
8:00AM-4:00PM
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Wackenhut
Address:
11901 E. 30th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80010
Phone Number:
(303) 361-0488 (EOIR)
(800) 898-7180
(electronic info system)
(303) 361-0723 (deport)
(303) 361-6612
(detention facility)
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
8:00AM-4:00PM
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Immigration Court Judges
Honorable David J. Cordova
Honorable Donn L. Livingston
Honorable James P. Vandello
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Immigration Court:
Arrival Procedures
Federal Building:
Bring an ID
Driver’s License Number Required
Wackenhut:
Detention Facility
Photo ID Required
Attorney Visitation Form (Client Visit Only)
• Name, “A Number”, Detention Number
No Cell Phones, Pagers, or Knives Allowed Inside
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Interview Procedures: Wackenhut
Cases
Guard Escorts You to Visitation Room
Interview Your Client
Contact Visit
Review Client’s Notice To Appear (NTA)
Review Client’s Story & Assess Options
• Cancellation of Removal – P. Medige Presentation
• Adjustment of Status – C. Lehman Presentation
• Asylum – A. Weitzhandler Presentation
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Interview Procedures: Wackenhut
Cases
Conclusion of Interview
Buzz the Guard--You Will Be Escorted Out First
Helpful Tips
Verify Client’s Story – Do Not Rely Solely on Client
and/or NTA
Do Not Give a Home Phone Number
Avoid General Visitation Hours
Advise Client not to Speak with INS without You
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Interview Procedures:
Federal Building Cases
Interview As With Any Other Client
Helpful Tips
Verify Client’s Story – Do Not Rely Solely on
Client and/or NTA
Do Not Give a Home Phone Number
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Courtroom Procedures:
Wackenhut
Wait in Courtroom
Until Case is Called
Last three digits of
“A Number”
Sit at Table on
Right Side
Enter Your
Appearance
G-28, EOIR-28
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Courtroom Procedures:
Wackenhut
More Pictures of Wackenhut Courtrooms
What You See
What the Judge
Sees
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Courtroom Procedures: Federal
Building
Check Board for
Correct Courtroom
Case Will be Called
by Last Three
Digits of Client’s “A
Number”
Sit at Table on
Left Side
Enter Your
Appearance
G-28, EOIR-28
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G-28 Form
Entry of Appearance for INS
Must Be Printed on Blue Paper
Two Copies
Original to INS
Copy to Client
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EOIR-28 Form
Entry of Appearance for Immigration
Court
Must Be Printed on Green Paper
Three Copies
Original to Judge
Copy to INS
Copy to Client
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Courtroom Procedures:
Master v. Merits
Master Calendar Hearing - Arraignment
Enter Appearances
Admit and/or Deny NTA Allegations, Concede or Challenge Charge
Schedule Merits Hearing
Request Continuance
Merits Hearing - Trial
Enter Appearances (if Applicable)
Arguing Merits of the Case
• Witnesses, Documentation, etc.
Decision Issued at Conclusion
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Courtroom Procedures:
Merits Hearing Schedule
Submit Client’s Application (w/ Supporting Documentation) to Clerk
of Court (except asylum) in Advance of Hearing
Asylum Applications Submitted at the Master Calendar Hearing
Opening Statement (Optional)
You Speak First
Presentation of Case
Testimony via Direct Examination
Cross Examination
Judge’s Examination
Telephonic Witnesses Accepted
Closing Statement (Optional)
Judge Renders Decision
Both Sides Given Option to Reserve Appeal
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Post-Hearing Procedures
Report to RMIAN Intern
Outcome of Case
Hours
Estimated Value to Client
Submit Work Product to RMIAN Intern
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