# EOIR Practice Manual 3.11 — Courtroom Decorum

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-3-11) · Collected 2026-10-27

## 3.11 - Courtroom Decorum

- Except for questions directed at witnesses, parties should not converse, discuss, or debate with each other or another person during a hearing. All oral argument and statements made during a hearing must be directed to the Immigration Judge. Discussions that are not relevant to the proceedings should be conducted outside the courtroom.

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.

## 3.11 - Courtroom Decorum

- Children in removal proceedings must attend all scheduled hearings unless their appearance has been waived by the Immigration Judge. Unless participating in a hearing, children should not be brought to the immigration court. If a child disrupts a hearing, the hearing may be postponed with the delay attributed to the party who brought the child. Children are not allowed to stay in the waiting area without supervision.

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.