Department of Justice Requests Public Comments on EOIR-31 Form Renewal
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a notice about renewing the information collection for the EOIR-31 form. This form is used by non-profit religious, charitable, social service, or similar organizations to request recognition from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
The EOIR wants public comments about this information collection. Comments will be accepted for 30 days, until August 18, 2025. The DOJ is asking for feedback on the form’s necessity, how much time it takes to fill out, how to make it better, and how to make it easier to complete, possibly with new technology.
The notice says this review is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DOJ will submit the request to continue using this form to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the next three years. The OMB cannot approve the form for more than three years without renewal.
Form EOIR-31 is Used For:
- Requesting new recognition for an organization.
- Requesting renewal of recognition.
- Requesting to extend recognition from one office to another.
The form lets organizations ask to be allowed to help people in immigration proceedings before EOIR and/or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is only for non-profit organizations that want to provide legal services in immigration cases.
The EOIR-31 form follows U.S. laws under 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1229a, 1362, and 8 CFR 1292.11-19. The form can be completed as a fillable PDF or through an electronic system. Recent changes to the form include updates to the Privacy Act notice, the expiration date for OMB approval, changes to the submission address, and another way to submit completed forms.
Who Must Respond: Non-profit organizations who want to be recognized as legal service providers in immigration cases by the Assistant Director for Policy at EOIR.
Obligation to Complete the Form: Filling out the form is voluntary. But, organizations that do not submit the required information may not have their recognition request considered.
Estimated Number of Respondents Each Year:
- 210 organizations for new recognition.
- 90 organizations for renewal of recognition.
- 20 organizations for extension of recognition to another office.
Estimated Time to Complete the Form:
- 2 hours for new recognition.
- 7 hours for renewal of recognition.
- 2 hours for extension to another office.
Total Annual Time Burden: 1,090 hours for all respondents.
Estimated Annual Other Costs: $0 (no cost except time for respondents).
How to Submit Comments: Comments and recommendations should be submitted within 30 days of this notice. Go to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Click on “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or search for the title or OMB Control Number 1125-0012 to find this information collection.
Need More Information? For details or a copy of the collection instrument, contact Justine Fuga, Associate General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600, Falls Church, VA 22041. Telephone: (703) 305-0265.
If you need further information, contact Darwin Arceo, Department Clearance Officer, Justice Management Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Two Constitution Square, 145 N Street NE, 4W-218 Washington, DC 20530.
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