# EOIR Practice Manual 2.3 — Documents Updated October 27, 2026 Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. Official source text retained on collection date; source versions and later amendments must remain visible. No exhaustive certification of current legal effect. [Official source](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/policy-manual-eoir/part-II/icpm/chapter-2-3) · Collected 2026-10-27 ## 2.3 - Documents – All documents filed with the immigration court must be in the English language or accompanied by a certified English translation. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - For documents electronically filed through the EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS), a user who is logged in and electronically filing through ECAS may use a conformed signature wherever his or her personal signature is required. CONFORMED SIGNATURE EXAMPLE: /S/ [John Doe]. Otherwise, signature stamps are not acceptable on documents filed with the immigration court. These signatures do not convey the signer’s personal authorization, attestation, and accountability for the filing. See also Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - Paralegals and other staff are not authorized to practice before the immigration court and may not sign a submission to the immigration court. However, a paralegal may sign a Proof of Service when authorized by the filing party. See Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents (d) (Defective Filings). All filings must be signed by the individual who drafted or prepared the document(s) being filed, whether DHS, an unrepresented respondent, a practitioner of record, or a practitioner who drafted, completed, or prepared the document(s) pursuant to a limited appearance for document assistance. See Chapter 2.3(b) (Signatures). Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - Filings should be assembled as follows. If a Form EOIR-28 or Form EOIR-61 is required, it should be submitted at the front of the package. See Part I, Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents (Limited Appearance for Document Assistance). If a Form EOIR-28 has been filed electronically, a printed copy of the Form EOIR-28 is generally not required. See Chapter 5.3(a)(1) (How to File the Form EOIR-28). Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - If proposed exhibits are not included as part of an application package, the proposed exhibit package should contain (in order): Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - Except as provided in subsections (A) and (B), below, only the original of each application or other submission must be filed with the immigration court. For all filings, a copy may need to be served on the opposing party if required. See Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents (Service on the Opposing Party). Multiple copies of a filing (e.g., a brief, motion, proposed exhibit, or other supporting documentation) should not be filed unless otherwise instructed by the Immigration Judge. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - For defensive asylum applications, parties must submit the original application to the immigration court or submit it electronically through the Respondent Access Portal. See Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - In consolidated cases, parties should submit a separate copy of each submission for placement in each individual Record of Proceedings. However, a “master exhibit” may be filed in the lead individual’s file for exhibits and supporting documentation applicable to more than one individual, with the approval of the Immigration Judge. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - All documents, including briefs, motions, and exhibits, should always be paginated by consecutive numbers placed at the bottom center or bottom right-hand corner of each page. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents Whenever proposed exhibits or supporting documents are submitted, the filing party should include a table of contents with page numbers identified. See Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - For cases with paper Record of Proceedings (ROPs), parties should use alphabetic tabs, commencing with the letter “A.” The tabs should be affixed to the right side of the pages. In addition, parties should carefully follow the pagination and table of contents guidelines in subsection (3), above. If paper filing documents for a case with an Electronic Record of Proceedings (eROP), parties are encouraged to use paper separators (i.e., a piece of paper with “Tab A” printed on it) instead of indexing tabs. This allows the immigration court to more easily scan the documents into the eROP. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - All filings should include a cover page. The cover page should include a caption and contain the following information: Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents the A-number for each alien covered by the filing (if an alien has more than one A-number, all the A-numbers should appear on the cover page with a clear notation that the alien has multiple A-numbers); Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents See Appendix D (Cover Pages). If the filing involves special circumstances, that information should appear prominently on the cover page, preferably in the top right corner and highlighted (e.g., “DETAINED,” “JOINT MOTION,” “EMERGENCY MOTION”). Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - The immigration court uses a two-hole punch system to maintain paper files. All forms, motions, briefs, and other submissions should always be pre-punched with holes along the top (centered and 2 ¾” apart). Submissions may be stapled in the top left corner. If stapling is impracticable, the use of removable binder clips is encouraged. Submissions should neither be bound on the side nor commercially bound, as such items must be disassembled to fit into the record of proceedings and might be damaged in the process. The use of ACCO-type fasteners and paper clips is discouraged. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - Photocopies of supporting documents, rather than the originals, should be filed with the immigration court and served on DHS. Examples of supporting documents include identity documents, photographs, and newspaper articles. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents If supporting documents are filed at a master calendar hearing, the alien must make the originals available to DHS at the master calendar hearing for possible forensics examination at the Forensics Documents Laboratory. In addition, the alien must bring the originals to all individual calendar hearings. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents If supporting documents are filed after the master calendar hearing(s), the filing should note that originals are available for review. In addition, the alien must bring the originals to all individual calendar hearings. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - When a party relies on a source of law in any filing (e.g., a brief, motion, or pre-trial statement) that is not readily available, that source of law should be reproduced and provided to the immigration court and the other party, along with the filing. Similarly, if a party relies on governmental memoranda, legal opinions, advisory opinions, communiques, or other ancillary legal authority or sources in any filing, copies of such items should be provided to the immigration court and the other party, along with the filing. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents - When a party submits secondary source material (“background documents”), that party should highlight the pertinent portions of that secondary source material. Any specific reference to a party should always be highlighted. Additionally, a party is encouraged to cite to specific pages or passages when referring to secondary source material within a brief or motion. Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. ## 2.3 - Documents (Sample Criminal History Chart). Under "Immigration Consequences," parties should simply state their "bottomline" position (for example: "not an aggravated felony"). Parties may supplement the criminal history chart with a prehearing brief. See Immigration Court proceedings only, not BIA or OCAHO. Preserve chapter-specific proceeding limits. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.