U.S.
Department of Justice
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Office of the
Director
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2400
Falls Church, Virginia 22041
NOTICE
Contact: Public Affairs Office
703-305-0289, Fax: 703-605-0365
Internet: www.usdoj.gov/eoir
September 20, 2001
EOIR Announces Interim Measures to Deal with Matters Affected by Terrorist Attacks
The Board of Immigration Appeals (Board) and the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ) have adopted interim measures to accommodate persons whose business with the Board or with the Immigration Courts in New York City was affected by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. With the rest of the Nation, the EOIR staff shares deep sorrow and shock over these tragic events and wishes to extend sympathy and understanding to anyone who has suffered personal loss or hardship.
The Board recognizes, for example, that disruptions in business and in mail delivery may have affected individuals who wish to file documents (e.g., motions, briefs, etc.) before the Board. Therefore, anyone who is submitting a time-sensitive document during the aftermath of the terrorist attacks may attach a one-page letter explaining any extraordinary circumstances that may have caused delays in filing. The Board will review and consider all such submissions. Please note that the Board does not accept faxes or other electronic transmissions without prior authorization.
The Immigration Courts at 26 Federal Plaza and 201 Varick Street are currently closed to the public. Beginning Thursday, September 20, however, hearings will resume in the Immigration Court Annex located on the 9th Floor at 201 Varick Street for cases involving non-detained respondents.
Although the building is being reopened to some Federal personnel, the Immigration Court at 26 Federal Plaza is not yet open to the public. Until then, emergency motions for stays of removal in cases under the jurisdiction of the court at Federal Plaza may be filed at the Immigration Court located at 970 Broad St., Room 1135, Newark, NJ. The telephone number in Newark is 973-645-3524.
The Immigration Court for detained cases at the Varick Street location also remains closed. Individuals previously detained there have been transferred by the Immigration and Naturalization Service to other locations. Respondents or their representatives will be notified of the locations of the Immigration Courts where their cases will be heard.
Both the Board and OCIJ have posted notices announcing these interim measures on the EOIR Web site at www.usdoj.gov/eoir. Readers are urged to consult the Web site periodically for updates.
- EOIR -
