The full relevant excerpts from the Policy Manual is below (with many thanks to Heidi Altman for pulling these excerpts!). Key highlights:
- To get a record of proceedings for a case pending at the Board, send an email to: EOIR.BIA.ROP.Requests@usdoj.gov
- To get an ROP for a case pending in the immigration court, send an email to an address individualized to the particular immigration court. The general email form is EOIR.xyz.ROP.Requests@usdoj.gov, and you must replace “xyz” with the 3-letter code for the relevant immigration court. The court codes are in Appendix Q of the Immigration Court Practice Manual here. So, for example, for the Chicago immigration court you would email EOIR.CHI.ROP.Requests@usdoj.gov.
Immigration Court Practice Manual 12.2
(A) Inspecting the record – Parties to an immigration court proceeding, and their legal representatives, may inspect the official record of proceedings. A FOIA request is not required. Inspection by prior arrangement with court staff is strongly recommended to ensure that the official record is immediately available. Individual immigration courts can be reached by using the following email model: “EOIR.xyz.ROP.Requests@usdoj.gov” where the “xyz” represents the relevant immigration court’s three-letter code. See Appendix Q (Immigration Court Three Letter Codes). Parties may review all portions of the record that are not prohibited (e.g., classified information, documents under a protective order). EOIR prohibits the removal of official records by parties or other persons from EOIR-controlled space.
(B) Obtaining copies of the record – The immigration courts will provide copies of the official record of proceedings to parties and their representatives of record upon request. A FOIA request is not required. Parties may obtain a copy of all portions of the record that are not prohibited to the party (e.g., classified information, documents under a protective order). Requests for copies of the official record of proceedings may be made to the immigration courts in person, by mail, or via email. See email model above in Part II, Chapter 12.2(a)(1)(A). See Chapter 1.5(c) (Records). The immigration courts do not provide self-service copying.
(A) Inspecting the record. Parties to a proceeding, and their legal representatives, may inspect the official record of proceedings. A FOIA request is not required. Inspection by prior arrangement with the Board Clerk’s Office is strongly recommended to ensure that the official record of proceedings is immediately available. See Chapter 1.5(d) (Records). Parties to a proceeding before the BIA may request inspection by calling the Clerk’s Office. See Appendix A (Directory). Parties may review all portions of the record that are not prohibited (e.g., classified information, documents under a protective order). EOIR prohibits the removal of official records by by parties or other persons from EOIR-controlled space.
(B) Obtaining copies of record. The Clerk’s Office will provide copies of the official record of proceedings to parties and their representatives of record upon request. A FOIA request is not required. Parties may obtain a copy of all portions of the record that are not prohibited (e.g., classified information, documents under a protective order). See Chapter 1.5(d) (Records). To request a copy from the BIA, email “EOIR.BIA.ROP.Requests@usdoj.gov“. The Board does not provide self-service copying.