Detained Custody Representation at Tacoma Immigration Court
The Tacoma Immigration Court has recently adopted several policies and practices to frustrate the rule of law and impede due process. Previously, the Tacoma Immigration Court permitted lawyers in Oregon to appear at bond hearings by WebEx or telephonically, either as a matter of course or by motion, which were routinely granted to ensure due process for all. However, as a matter of practice, this is no longer possible as recent experience indicates that the Tacoma Immigration Court now refuses to permit remote appearances.
ECO funds representation for Oregonians in immigration detention seeking release through detained custody engagements. As a matter of course, ECO will now issue limited-scope custody representation referrals. Providers may request an engagement for full-scope custody representation at their discretion after accepting a limited-scope engagement.
The detained custody representation limited scope is defined as “Preparing and filing with the immigration court a limited-scope bond motion, accompanied by an E-61, and supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility for release. Representation includes meaningfully preparing the client to self-represent at the hearing; providing a copy of filings to the client for self-representation and to ECO for record-keeping; tracking and reporting to ECO on the outcome of hearing; and post-hearing advice and assessment with the client.” Representation does not include filing a full-scope appearance or in-court representation.
ECO does not fund travel costs or travel time for full or limited-scope detained custody representation.
