On May 10, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security and the Executive Office for Immigration Review announced an additional delay in cases being conducted under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). Those cases are held at or near the US-Mexico border and applicants are forced to remain in Mexico while they await their court hearings. Based on this announcement, cases will resume on June 22, 2020, and so those who have court that day or later should continue preparing for their cases. Read the full announcement below.
Joint DHS/EOIR Statement on the Rescheduling of MPP Hearings
The Departments of Justice and Homeland Security continue to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting in-person interaction. To this end, the Departments have made the following adjustments to the temporary postponement of Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) hearings.
Beginning May 10th, in-person document service will be suspended immediately until June 8th, alleviating the need for aliens to travel within Mexico to a U.S. port of entry during this one-month suspension period. DHS and EOIR are deeply committed to ensuring the health and safety of aliens, our frontline officers, immigration court professionals, and our citizens.
All MPP hearings will remain postponed through, and including, June 19th. Individuals with a hearing date prior to June 22nd should present themselves at the port of entry identified on their tear sheet one month later than the date indicated on their most recently noticed date. For example, if the hearing date is May 10th, individuals should present themselves on June 10th.
For individuals with a hearing date of June 22nd or after, there is no change in procedures and individuals should report as instructed on their tear sheets.
The Departments are committed to proceeding with MPP hearings as expeditiously as possible and will continue to review conditions related to COVID-19 to make further determinations as necessary. For updated information on immigration courts in English and Spanish please visit: portal.eoir.justice.gov/infosystem or call: 1-800-898-7180.
Executive Office for Immigration Review
Office of Policy
Communications and Legislative Affairs Division
PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov
703-305-0289
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/eoir-operational-status-during-coronavirus-pandemic#MPP