CCUSA opposes DOJ’s EOIR interim rule that reorganizes key programs
CCUSA submitted comments in opposition to the Department of Justice’s Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR)’s interim rule that reorganizes key programs that may affect Catholic Charities agencies. The rule outlines the functions of the Office of Policy and the roles of this newly-formed office and the Office of General Counsel within EOIR. It transfers the Office of Legal Access Program’s (OLAP) responsibilities to a division in the Office of Policy and removes references in the regulations to OLAP and the OLAP Director, effectively moving OLAP to the Office of Policy. OLAP oversees the Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) program, which allows non-profits to become accredited and employ full- or partially accredited representatives who assist immigrants with their immigration cases. At least 89 Catholic Charities agencies have a full- or partially accredited representative on staff. We argued that moving these programs into a policy office will politicize the program. We stated our opposition to the move. CLINIC also submitted comments.