Coalition Letter on Continued Issues in Immigration Courts During COVID-19 Pandemic

The American Immigration Council joined other organizations in urging Domestic Policy Council Deputy Director Esther Olavarria, Special Assistant to the President for Immigration Tyler Moran, and Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Acting Director Jean King to take measures to address the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigration courts. The letter calls specific attention to EOIR policies that continue to place everyone's health at risk during what has become the greatest period of community spread of COVID-19. The letter urges EOIR to issue a new policy memorandum with blanket authority for the duration of this national public health emergency that would, among other measures, disallow reopening or continued operation of physical court installations, including in ICE detention centers, until EOIR can ensure adequate procedures and supplies to disinfect courtrooms, permit social distancing, and ensure sufficient airflow to prevent aerosol spread of COVID-19.