DOJ Extends Form for Immigrant Aid Nonprofits
Published Date: 3/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Justice wants to keep using Form EOIR-31, which helps non-profit religious, charitable, and social service groups get recognized to support people in immigration cases. They’re asking for your thoughts on this form and how long it takes to fill out, with a 60-day comment window ending May 13, 2025. This keeps things fair and clear for groups helping immigrants without adding extra hassle or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Who may be recognized to represent immigrants
To obtain initial recognition to practice before EOIR and DHS, an organization must: be a non-profit religious/charitable/social service or similar organization; provide immigration legal services primarily to low-income and indigent clients in the U.S.; show current or pending federal tax-exempt status; apply to have at least one employee/volunteer approved as an Accredited Representative (using Form EOIR-31A); demonstrate sufficient immigration law knowledge and experience; and designate an authorized officer. The organization must submit Form EOIR-31 and serve a copy on USCIS offices in jurisdictions where it offers services.
Estimated annual paperwork burden (1,055 hours)
EOIR estimates annual responses and time: 210 initial recognition responses at 2 hours each (420 hours), 90 renewal responses at 7 hours each (630 hours), and 20 standalone extension-office requests at 2 hours each (40 hours), for a total estimated annual burden of 1,055 hours.
60‑day public comment deadline
The Department of Justice is soliciting public comments on the EOIR-31 form for 60 days, with comments accepted through May 13, 2025. Anyone—especially nonprofit organizations that use the form—can submit feedback during this window about burden, clarity, or submission methods.
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