List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for Individuals in Immigration Proceedings, 59503-59513 [2015-24017]

Agencies

• Executive Office for Immigration Review
• Department of Justice

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59503-59513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24017]



Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 190 / Thursday, October 1, 2015 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 59503]]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Executive Office for Immigration Review

8 CFR Parts 1003, 1240, and 1241

[EOIR Docket No. 164P; A.G. Order No. 3565-2015]
RIN 1125-AA62


List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for Individuals in 
Immigration Proceedings

AGENCY: Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule adopts, as amended, the proposed rule entitled 
``List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for Aliens in Immigration 
Proceedings.'' The final rule changes the name of the ``List of Free 
Legal Service Providers,'' maintained by the Executive Office for 
Immigration Review (EOIR), to the ``List of Pro Bono Legal Service 
Providers'' (List). It enhances the eligibility requirements for 
providers to be included on the List. It authorizes the Director of 
EOIR, or his or her designee, to place providers on the List and remove 
them from the List. The rule also allows the public to comment on 
eligible applicants and requires approved providers to certify their 
eligibility every 3 years.

DATES: This rule is effective November 30, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean King, General Counsel, Executive 
Office for Immigration Review, 5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600, Falls 
Church, VA 22041, telephone (703) 305-0470 (not a toll-free call).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation

    On September 17, 2014, the Department published in the Federal 
Register a rule proposing to amend EOIR's regulations governing the 
list of organizations, pro bono referral services, and attorneys 
available to represent individuals in immigration court on a pro bono 
basis. 79 FR 55662. The comment period ended November 17, 2014. The 
Department received seven comments. Both in response to these comments 
and as the result of further consideration, the Department has decided 
to revise the proposed rule as discussed below. Except for these 
revisions, the proposed rule is adopted without change.

II. Regulatory Background

    This rule amends 8 CFR part 1003 by revising Sec. Sec.  1003.61 
through 1003.66. It also amends 8 CFR parts 1240 and 1241 by revising 
Sec. Sec.  1240.10 and 1241.14, respectively. The rule provides the 
Director of EOIR or his or her designee with the authority to maintain 
the quarterly List. See Sec. Sec.  1003.61(a)(1), (b). The rule 
modifies the criteria for organizations,\1\ pro bono referral 
services,\2\ and attorneys to be placed on the List, stating in part 
that attorneys and organizations must provide at least 50 hours 
annually of pro bono legal services at each immigration court location 
where the attorney or organization intends to be on the List.\3\ See 
Sec.  1003.62. The rule also specifies that an attorney can appear on 
the List only under certain circumstances and only if he or she cannot 
provide pro bono services through or in association with an 
organization or pro bono referral service. See Sec.  1003.62(d). The 
rule identifies the information that organizations, pro bono referral 
services, and attorneys must provide to EOIR when applying to be on the 
List. See Sec.  1003.63. Regarding the application process, the rule 
states, in part, that the names of applicants meeting the regulatory 
requirements will be posted for public comments. See Sec.  1003.63(f). 
The rule also requires that, every three years, providers on the List 
must certify that they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. 
See Sec.  1003.64(b)(2). In addition, the rule specifies the procedures 
for removing providers from, and reinstating them to, the List. See 
Sec.  1003.65.
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    \1\ The rule, at Sec.  1003.61(a)(3), defines an 
``organization'' as ``[a] non-profit religious, charitable, social 
service, or similar group established in the United States.'' 
Organizations can apply to be recognized by EOIR pursuant to 8 CFR 
part 1292. This rule distinguishes between organizations that have 
been recognized by EOIR and other, non-recognized, organizations.
    \2\ The rule, at Sec.  1003.61(a)(4), defines a ``pro bono 
referral service'' as ``[a] referral service, offered by a non-
profit group, association, or similar organization established in 
the United States that assists persons in locating pro bono 
representation by making case referrals to attorneys or 
organizations that are available to provide pro bono 
representation.''
    \3\ As previously noted at 79 FR 55662 n.2, the term 
``immigration court location'' refers both to the immigration courts 
and to facilities where hearings may be conducted but where no EOIR 
personnel have a permanent duty station.
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III. Comments and Responses

    As noted above, the Department received seven comments in response 
to the proposed rule. One comment was from the Executive Director of 
the Catholic Legal Immigration Network; one was from a professor and 
director of a law school clinical program; one was from the Director of 
the Immigration Program of the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, New 
York; one was from a group of three law students; two were from 
individual commenters; and one was from an anonymous commenter. Below, 
the Department has summarized the comments and explained the changes 
the Department has made in response. Because some comments overlap and 
commenters raised multiple subjects, the comments are addressed by 
topic rather than by reference to a specific commenter.

A. The 50-Hour Requirement

    The Department received a number of comments regarding the 
requirement, at Sec. Sec.  1003.62(a)(1), (b)(1), and (d)(2), that each 
attorney and organization provide at least 50 hours per year of pro 
bono legal services at each immigration court location where the 
attorney or organization intends to appear on the List. The Department 
had posed four questions: whether the requirement is too demanding for 
certain private attorneys; whether the requirement is not demanding 
enough for organizations; whether the standards for organizations and 
attorneys should differ from one another in any other way; and whether 
there are alternative standards, for example relating to the number or 
type of cases accepted, that would be more appropriate measures of pro 
bono representation. See 79 FR 55665-66.
1. Attorneys
    Three commenters addressed the impact of the 50-hour requirement on 
attorneys, with two supporting the requirement and one questioning it. 
Of the supporters, one stated that the requirement was ``appropriate'' 
for attorneys, and the other noted that the requirement is consistent 
with the American Bar Association's Model Rule of Professional Conduct 
(ABA Model Rule) 6.1, which states that ``[a] lawyer should aspire to 
render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per 
year.'' \4\ The commenter who questioned the requirement raised 
concerns that it would be too burdensome for solo or small-firm 
practitioners. This commenter offered an example of a solo practitioner 
in Arkansas representing a detained client before the Oakdale, 
Louisiana, Immigration Court, then appearing before the Memphis, 
Tennessee, Immigration Court after the client is

[[Page 59504]]

released. To be on the List for both the Oakdale and Memphis courts, 
the attorney would have to perform 100 hours of pro bono representation 
annually, or 50 before each court. Also, this commenter argued, the 
paperwork would be burdensome for a solo or small-firm practitioner, 
and such an attorney's ability to represent clients pro bono in non-
immigration proceedings could be impacted.
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    \4\ In the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at 79 FR 55665 n.8, the 
Department cited ABA Model Rule 6.1 in support of the 50-hour 
requirement.
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    The final rule keeps the 50-hour requirement with respect to 
attorneys. The Department agrees with the commenters who supported the 
requirement. While the Department appreciates the other commenter's 
concerns, the 50-hour requirement for attorneys is essential to the 
rule. As noted in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, EOIR has 
consistently received complaints that certain attorneys on the List do 
not accept significant numbers of pro bono cases. 79 FR 55663-64. The 
50-hour requirement will help ensure that attorneys listed as providing 
pro bono legal services in a specific location are actually available 
to do so. This rule does not impose any limits on an attorney's pro 
bono practice, as such, and the 50-hour requirement is applicable only 
with respect to attorneys who choose to seek inclusion by name on the 
List.
    With respect to the hypothetical Arkansas solo practitioner wishing 
to appear on the List for both the Oakdale and Memphis courts, if it 
would be difficult for him or her to perform 50 hours of pro bono 
service annually at each court, then he or she likely lacks the 
resources to provide pro bono services regularly before both courts, 
and therefore should not be on the List for both courts. The Department 
does not believe that the 50-hour requirement imposes an undue 
paperwork burden, as attorneys regularly track the time they spend on 
individual cases. It is possible that some attorneys wishing to be on 
the List would have to reduce the pro bono services they provide in 
non-immigration proceedings. However, the Department's overriding 
concern is that attorneys on the List be available to provide pro bono 
representation before EOIR.
    Though the 50-hour requirement will remain substantively unchanged, 
the Department has amended Sec.  1003.62(d)(2) to clarify that ``[t]he 
attorney may count, toward the requirement, both out-of-court 
preparation time and in-court time.'' The Department had explained, in 
the preamble of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at 79 FR 55665, that 
preparation time counts toward the requirement, but corresponding 
language did not appear in the proposed rule's text.
2. Organizations
    Three commenters addressed the impact of the 50-hour requirement on 
organizations. One supported the requirement, stating that it was 
appropriate for organizations. The other two recommended that EOIR 
amend the requirement, noting that organizations often charge nominal 
fees for representing clients. One of these two recommended dropping 
the 50-hour requirement for organizations recognized by EOIR under 8 
CFR part 1292. This commenter argued that recognized organizations are 
less likely than private attorneys or other organizations to abuse 
their placement on the List, as they have already established to the 
satisfaction of the Board of Immigration Appeals that they charge only 
nominal fees.\5\ This commenter also stated that many recognized 
organizations would have difficulty meeting the requirement because, 
based on community needs, they concentrate on representing clients 
before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instead of the 
immigration courts. The other of the two recommended dropping the 
requirement for all organizations or, failing that, for recognized 
organizations. Alternatively, this commenter recommended lowering the 
requirement to 25 hours annually. In addition, the first of the two 
argued that the 50-hour requirement for organizations could ``hinder 
access . . . to emergency pro bono services.'' As an example, this 
commenter noted that, following the 2014 influx to the United States of 
individuals from Central America, organizations and attorneys from 
around the country provided pro bono legal services to recent entrants 
detained in Artesia, New Mexico.
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    \5\ Under 8 CFR 1292.2(a), in order to be recognized by EOIR, an 
organization ``must establish to the satisfaction of the [Board of 
Immigration Appeals] that . . . (1) [i]t makes only nominal charges 
and assesses no excessive membership dues for persons given 
assistance . . . .''
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    The final rule keeps the requirement that both recognized and non-
recognized organizations provide 50 hours annually of pro bono legal 
services at each immigration court location where the organization 
appears on the List. The Department disagrees with reducing the 
requirement to 25 hours annually. As indicated in the Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, a number of state bar associations recommend that 
attorneys perform a minimum of 50 hours of pro bono work annually, and 
ABA Model Rule 6.1 states that lawyers should aspire to perform at 
least 50 hours of pro bono legal services annually. See 79 FR 55665. In 
addition, the rule does not require that each of an organization's 
attorneys and representatives meet the 50-hour requirement, but rather 
that the organization as a whole perform 50 hours of pro bono legal 
services annually in order to be included on the List. The Department 
further disagrees with exempting recognized organizations from the 50-
hour requirement. The fact that a recognized organization is prohibited 
from charging more than nominal fees does not establish that the 
organization is available to represent clients pro bono. As the rule 
makes clear at Sec.  1003.61(a)(2), representation for a fee, even a 
nominal fee, is not pro bono representation. Though the Department 
appreciates that some recognized organizations concentrate on 
representing clients before DHS, the purpose of the List is to inform 
individuals in immigration court proceedings of providers who perform 
significant pro bono services before the courts.
    Though the final rule keeps the 50-hour requirement for 
organizations, the Department has, in light of comments that some 
organizations do not have the resources to represent clients in 
immigration court proceedings without charging at least a nominal fee, 
modified the requirement to allow organizations to count pro bono 
services in some cases where the organization did not actually 
represent the client. Specifically, the Department has amended 
Sec. Sec.  1003.62(a)(1) and (b)(1) to allow organizations to count, 
toward the requirement, time an organization's attorneys and 
representatives spent providing pro bono legal services in cases the 
organization eventually referred to an outside provider for pro bono 
representation before the immigration court location. In the proposed 
rule, by contrast, organizations could count only time spent on cases 
where an attorney or representative of the organization represented the 
client. In addition, as with the provision addressing attorneys, the 
Department has amended Sec. Sec.  1003.62(a)(1) and (b)(1) to clarify 
that, ``[w]hen an attorney or representative of [an] organization 
represents [an] individual pro bono . . . the organization may count, 
toward the 50-hour requirement, the attorney's or representative's out-
of-court preparation time and in-court time.''
    Regarding pro bono legal services offered temporarily following 
events

[[Page 59505]]

such as the 2014 influx of individuals from Central America, the 
Department encourages such services and does not believe they would be 
hindered by the rule. The rule does not impose limits on an 
organization's ability to offer pro bono services before any 
immigration court location, including those at which the organization 
does not appear on the List. The List, which EOIR anticipates updating 
quarterly,\6\ is not designed to publicize services offered for less 
than three months at a time. However, the Department encourages 
organizations to publicize any such short-term services in 
collaboration with organizations or pro bono referral services already 
operating in the relevant location. Should the need arise, EOIR may 
explore how to assist with publicizing such services as well.
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    \6\ See Sec.  1003.61(b) (stating that the List ``shall be 
updated not less than quarterly'').
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3. Alternatives to the 50-Hour Requirement
    One commenter responded to the Department's question about 
alternative ways to measure pro bono services. This commenter was 
opposed to requiring a provider to accept a specific number of pro bono 
cases, as some cases require dramatically more work than others. 
However, this commenter stated that ``[a] measurement regarding the 
types of pro bono cases accepted may . . . be appropriate if it is done 
correctly,'' primarily because ``such a requirement might encourage 
each organization to accept a variety of cases, rather than allowing a 
single attorney or organization to take on every simple case.'' The 
Department agrees that, generally speaking, it is beneficial for each 
organization and attorney on the List to accept a variety of pro bono 
cases. However, the Department declines to incorporate, into the final 
rule, any requirement concerning the types of cases providers accept, 
as the nature of cases varies between immigration court locations. In 
addition, it can sometimes be valuable for providers to specialize in 
particular types of cases, thereby building their expertise.

B. Restrictions on Private Attorneys on the List

    One commenter responded to the proposed rule's provision, at Sec.  
1003.63(d)(3), that an individual attorney who does not work for a pro 
bono organization (``private attorney'') cannot appear on the List if 
he or she can provide pro bono legal services through or in association 
with a nonprofit organization or a pro bono referral service. This 
commenter ``generally support[ed]'' the requirement but expressed two 
concerns. First, this commenter stated that, ``especially in rural and 
isolated immigration courts, the List has traditionally served the 
beneficial, though unintended, purpose of identifying local attorneys 
who were willing to represent respondents,'' and that this ``unintended 
function of the List is actually critical to access to counsel in those 
immigration courts.'' This commenter concluded that ``[e]liminating all 
the private attorneys from the List (which will happen in most courts 
that have at least one nonprofit organization providing pro bono legal 
services) will result in an overall reduction in access to counsel'' in 
some locations, ``unless EOIR takes other reasonable steps to provide 
information to the respondents regarding how they may locate attorneys 
willing to represent them before the court.'' (Emphasis omitted). 
Second, this commenter argued that ``[a]nother consequence of 
eliminating private attorneys from the List is that the nonprofit 
organizations remaining on the List will experience a much greater 
volume of calls to their organizations.'' This commenter stated that 
``EOIR has made great progress in supporting pro bono representation,'' 
but ``must provide more resources to support the organizations 
remaining on the List on whom the entire burden of sustaining pro bono 
representation in immigration court will now fall.''
    The Department believes that the provision at issue is necessary. 
To the extent that the List functions to inform individuals in 
immigration court proceedings of attorneys who will represent them for 
a fee, this function is, as the commenter noted, unintended. The List's 
intended function is to inform such individuals of providers who will 
represent them pro bono. The provision at issue, drafted in light of 
complaints that certain attorneys on the List do not accept significant 
numbers of pro bono cases,\7\ will help ensure that attorneys who do 
not accept significant numbers of pro bono cases will not appear on the 
List.
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    \7\ See 79 FR 55663-64.
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    However, the Department acknowledges the concern that, once the 
rule takes effect, individuals in immigration court proceedings in 
some, particularly rural, locations may be less informed than they 
currently are of paid legal services, as well as the concern that 
organizations on the List could receive more inquiries than they have 
the capacity to handle. EOIR is committed to improving access to legal 
information and counseling and to increasing representation rates 
before the immigration courts. In line with the commenter's 
suggestions, EOIR may explore other ways to inform individuals in 
proceedings about paid legal services, including providing contact 
information for bar associations through which they may be referred to 
local immigration counsel. In addition, organizations are welcome to 
contact EOIR directly, after the rule takes effect, with observations 
regarding the rule's effects on organizations' operations and on access 
to counsel in the immigration courts.

C. Renaming the List

    Three commenters addressed the fact that the proposed rule, at 
Sec.  1003.61(b), renamed the ``Free Legal Services Providers List'' as 
the ``List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers.'' One commenter agreed 
with the name change, stating that the use of the word ``free'' 
``implies that there is no financial responsibility for any client 
wishing to receive legal services.'' The second commenter stated that, 
while the term ``pro bono'' is understood by attorneys and ``may 
provide clarity to members of the bar,'' its meaning may not be clear 
to individuals in immigration court proceedings. In light of this fact, 
and because many pro bono providers also charge fees to some clients, 
this commenter suggested that EOIR use a title such as ``Free and Low-
Cost Legal Service Providers.'' The third commenter ``generally 
support[ed]'' the use of the term ``pro bono,'' but, like the second 
commenter, cautioned that this term may be unclear to some, and 
recommended ``includ[ing] a sentence explaining the purpose for which 
the services are provided.''
    The final rule retains the name ``List of Pro Bono Legal Service 
Providers.'' As noted in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking at 79 FR 
55663, the use of the term ``pro bono'' tracks the language in the 
Immigration and Nationality Act. See Immigration and Nationality Act 
(INA or Act) sections 208(d)(4)(B) (requiring EOIR to provide asylum 
applicants with a list of providers available ``on a pro bono basis''), 
239(b)(2) (requiring EOIR to compile lists of providers ``who have 
indicated their availability to represent pro bono aliens in [removal] 
proceedings''). However, the Department acknowledges that some 
individuals in immigration court proceedings will not understand this 
term. Therefore, the Department will consider including, on the List, a 
short statement clearly explaining the List's nature and purpose.

[[Page 59506]]

D. Fees

    One commenter suggested that providers be required to certify, 
under the penalty of perjury, whether they charge fees to the majority 
of clients, and that the List should include information on the extent 
to which each provider charges fees. The Department declines to adopt 
the commenter's suggestion in the final rule. The Department 
appreciates that there may be benefits to including, on the List, 
information on fees. However, the percentage of clients to whom a 
provider charges fees may well fluctuate, and it could prove difficult 
for EOIR to verify the accuracy of providers' representations. Though 
the Department declines, at this time, to require providers to submit 
information on fees, the Department may, in the future, consider 
whether information on fees should be incorporated into the List.

E. Filings and Communications

    One commenter suggested that, instead of requiring paper 
applications, EOIR should ``look for alternative electronic methods 
through which to make an initial application, submit comments or 
complaints, and apply for continued participation.'' The Department 
agrees that electronic filings and communications would be beneficial. 
Beginning when the final rule takes effect, EOIR will accept electronic 
comments and recommendations from the public pertaining to applications 
to appear on the List. The Department has revised Sec.  1003.63(f) to 
make clear that such electronic comments and recommendations are 
permitted. In addition, EOIR is considering, in the future, permitting 
prospective and current providers to electronically submit a wide range 
of documents. Such documents could include applications to appear on 
the List, declarations that a provider remains qualified to appear on 
the List, requests to be removed from the List, responses to inquiries 
and notices from EOIR, and notifications of changes in information or 
status. EOIR is also considering communicating with prospective and 
current providers electronically. In the future, EOIR may 
electronically transmit documents such as decisions to grant or deny 
applications to appear on the List, inquiries to providers in response 
to complaints, notices that a provider has automatically been removed 
from the List or that the Director intends to remove a provider from 
the List, and decisions to remove a provider from the List. In 
anticipation of such electronic communications, the Department has 
revised Sec. Sec.  1003.64(b) and 1003.65(a)(2), (d)(2), (d)(3), and 
(d)(4)(ii), pertaining to various written communications from EOIR to 
providers, to state that they can be sent electronically, in addition 
to by mail. No notice-and-comment period is required for the revisions 
described in this paragraph, as they pertain to ``agency organization, 
procedure, or practice'' under 5 U.S.C. 553(b).
    In the meantime, to assist prospective and current providers, EOIR 
has created a form--Optional Form EOIR-56, Request to be Included on 
the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for Individuals in 
Immigration Proceedings--that organizations, pro bono referral 
services, and attorneys will be able to use to apply to appear on the 
List, and to certify their continuing eligibility, once the final rule 
takes effect. The form will be available in an electronic fillable 
format. However, unless EOIR begins accepting electronic submissions, 
the completed form will need to be submitted to EOIR on paper. Although 
EOIR will not require prospective and current providers to use Optional 
Form EOIR-56, the Department has deleted from Sec.  1003.63(a) the 
statement that ``[a] form is not required in order to apply to be 
included on the List.'' This change will allow EOIR greater 
flexibility, as it gains experience administering the List under this 
final rule, to further streamline the application process in the 
future.

F. Other Comments

    One commenter, noting the ``language barrier[s]'' and ``social 
isolation of indigent aliens,'' asked whether either ``translation 
services [would] be provided,'' or whether a ``provider [would] be 
required to work in both English and the language spoken by the 
indigent alien.'' This rule setting forth the requirements for 
inclusion on the List does not require that providers speak particular 
languages or supply translation services.\8\ EOIR provides interpreters 
at immigration court hearings if the individual in proceedings lacks 
adequate command of English to fully understand and participate in the 
proceedings. The Department encourages prospective providers to note, 
in their applications to appear on the List, information such as their 
languages spoken or translation services offered.
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    \8\ The Department notes, however, that the existing EOIR 
disciplinary rules, which are applicable to all attorneys and 
accredited representatives appearing before EOIR on behalf of any 
client, include a general provision that ``[i]t is the obligation of 
the practitioner to take reasonable steps to communicate with the 
client in a language that the client understands.'' 8 CFR 
1003.102(r).
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    One commenter, while noting that ``the word `alien' has long been 
used to describe immigrants'' and appears in the Immigration and 
Nationality Act, ``encourage[d] EOIR to refrain from using the term . . 
. wherever possible.'' The Department has deleted the term ``alien'' 
from the rule's title and, where possible, from the regulatory text, 
and has avoided using the term in this preamble where possible. The use 
of the term ``alien'' is often necessary in the Department's 
regulations governing immigration proceedings given that, as the 
commenter acknowledges, the term is used throughout the immigration 
statutes. However, in this final rule, the Department has refrained 
from using ``alien'' as a generic term for a person in immigration 
court proceedings, given that individuals in immigration court 
proceedings can assert that they are United States citizens.\9\
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    \9\ For example, immigration judges conduct claimed status 
review proceedings, in which individuals who are deemed by DHS to be 
subject to expedited removal from the United States under INA 
235(b)(1) can argue, among other things, that they are United States 
citizens. See 8 CFR 1235.3(b)(5).
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    One commenter was concerned whether providers' periodic 
declarations of eligibility under Sec.  1003.64(b)(2) would be 
available for comment or review by the public, given that they would 
contain clients' alien registration numbers. The commenter 
``encourage[d] EOIR to clearly state in the [final rule] that the 
declaration . . . shall be maintained in a separate file and can only 
be reviewed by EOIR staff or the applicant.'' Although EOIR understands 
the commenter's concern, it is unnecessary to state, in the regulation, 
that providers' periodic declarations of eligibility can be reviewed 
only by EOIR staff or the applicant. EOIR appreciates the importance of 
protecting, from release to the public, alien registration numbers, and 
other personally identifiable information,\10\ pertaining to 
individuals in EOIR proceedings. Neither Sec.  1003.64(b)(2) nor any 
other provision in the rule permits EOIR to release

[[Page 59507]]

providers' periodic declarations of eligibility, or any information 
contained in them. By contrast, Sec.  1003.63(f)(1) directs EOIR to 
publicly release the names of applicants meeting the requirements to 
appear on the List, and to make copies of applications available to the 
public upon request. Although the declarations could be the subject of 
requests for release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 
EOIR's policy, when releasing information pursuant to a FOIA request, 
is to redact personally identifiable information pertaining to 
individuals in EOIR proceedings unless the individual in the 
proceedings has consented in writing to the release of this 
information.\11\
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    \10\ ``Personally identifiable information'' is ``information 
which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, 
such as their name, social security number, biometric records, etc. 
alone, or when combined with other personal or identifying 
information which is linked or linkable to a specific individual, 
such as date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, etc.'' Office 
of Management and Budget Memorandum for the Heads of Executive 
Departments and Agencies, Safeguarding Against and Responding to the 
Breach of Personally Identifiable Information, May 22, 2007, at 1 n. 
1, at https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/fy2007/m07-16.pdf (last visited September 11, 2015).
    \11\ See 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6) (exempting from release ``personnel 
and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would 
constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy'').
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IV. Other Revisions

    In the final rule, the Department has revised Sec.  1003.63(a) to 
simplify and clarify the application process. Specifically, the 
Department has deleted the proposed requirement, at Sec.  
1003.63(a)(5), that an application be served on the court administrator 
for each immigration court location where the provider intends to 
perform pro bono legal services. The Department has concluded that this 
requirement is unnecessary, as court administrators can be informed of 
prospective providers through other means. The Department has also 
deleted, as unnecessary, the proposed requirement, at Sec.  
1003.63(a)(4), that an envelope containing an application be marked 
``Application for List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers.'' Finally, 
the Department has revised Sec.  1006.63(a)(2) to specify that, in an 
application, a prospective provider must state how the provider's 
contact information, in addition to the provider's name, should be set 
forth on the List.
    The Department has revised the application requirements at Sec.  
1003.63(b) and (d) to reflect EOIR's registration requirements for 
attorneys and accredited representatives. Beginning December 11, 2013, 
EOIR has required attorneys and accredited representatives to register 
electronically with EOIR in order to practice before the immigration 
courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals. See 78 FR 28124 (May 14, 
2013); see also 8 CFR 1292.1(f) (stating that ``[t]he [EOIR] Director 
or his designee is authorized to register, and establish procedures for 
registering, attorneys and accredited representatives . . . as a 
condition of practice before immigration judges or the Board of 
Immigration Appeals''). In light of this requirement, the Department 
has revised Sec.  1003.63(b)(2) to provide that, in an application to 
appear on the List, an organization must declare that ``every attorney 
and accredited representative who will represent clients before EOIR on 
behalf of the organization is registered to practice before EOIR under 
Sec.  1292.1(f).'' This provision replaces the proposed rule's 
requirement that an organization declare that ``every attorney who will 
provide pro bono legal services before EOIR on behalf of the 
organization . . . [i]s eligible to practice law in and is a member in 
good standing of the bar of'' a state or other jurisdiction. The 
deleted requirement is unnecessary given that, to register with EOIR, 
an attorney must list all the jurisdictions in which he or she is 
licensed to practice law. See 8 CFR 1292.1(f) (stating that ``[t]he 
[EOIR] Director or his designee may administratively suspend from 
practice before the immigration judges and the Board [of Immigration 
Appeals] any attorney or accredited representative who fails to provide 
. . . bar admission information (if applicable)''). For attorneys 
applying to appear on the List, the Department has revised Sec.  
1003.63(d)(5) to provide that, instead of providing the bars in which 
he or she is a member in good standing, an attorney must provide his or 
her EOIR registration number.
    Under the revised Sec.  1003.63(b)(2), an organization, in its 
application to appear on the List, is only required to declare ``[t]hat 
every attorney and accredited representative who will represent clients 
pro bono before EOIR on behalf of the organization is registered'' with 
EOIR. (Emphasis added.) By contrast, the Department has revised Sec.  
1003.63(b)(3) to state that, in its application, an organization must 
declare ``[t]hat no attorney or representative who will provide pro 
bono legal services on behalf of the organization in cases pending 
before EOIR: (i) is under any order suspending, enjoining, restraining, 
disbarring, or otherwise restricting him or her in the practice of law; 
or (ii) is the subject of an order of disbarment under Sec.  
1003.101(a) or suspension under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2) . . . .'' \12\ 
(Emphasis added.) Accordingly, if an organization has an attorney or 
accredited representative who will not enter appearances with EOIR, but 
who will perform pro bono legal services in cases pending before EOIR 
other than representing clients,\13\ the organization is not required 
to declare that the attorney or accredited representative is registered 
with EOIR. However, the organization must declare that he or she, like 
an attorney or accredited representative who will represent clients pro 
bono, meets the requirements of Sec.  1003.63(b)(3).\14\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ The Department has revised the underlying requirements at 
Sec.  1003.62(a)(3) and (b)(3) (Sec.  1003.62(a)(3) and (b)(4) of 
the proposed rule) to state that ``[n]o attorney or representative 
who will provide pro bono legal services on [an] organization's 
behalf in cases pending before EOIR is the subject of an order of 
disbarment under Sec.  1003.101(a)(1) or suspension under Sec.  
1003.101(a)(2).''
    \13\ As noted in Sec.  1003.62(a)(1) and (b)(1), as revised, 
performing other pro bono legal services could include conducting an 
intake interview or mentoring an attorney or representative to whom 
a case is referred.
    \14\ The regulations permit individuals other than attorneys and 
accredited representatives--for example, law students and law 
graduates--to represent clients before EOIR in some situations. See 
8 CFR 1292.1(a). However, only attorneys and accredited 
representatives must register with EOIR. See 8 CFR 1292.1(f). 
Accordingly, the requirement at Sec.  1003.63(b)(2) applies only to 
attorneys and accredited representatives. Thus, an organization is 
not required to declare that any other representatives who will 
represent clients pro bono on its behalf--for example, law students 
or graduates--are registered with EOIR. However, the requirement at 
Sec.  1003.63(b)(3) applies to all representatives, even those who 
are not accredited.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Department has made minor revisions to Sec.  1003.63(f), which 
relates to the notice-and-comment period for applications. The revised 
provision states that applications shall be publicly posted following 
``review of the applications'' by EOIR, as opposed to their receipt. 
Before posting an application, EOIR will review it to ensure that the 
application meets the regulatory requirements. For clarity, the revised 
provision specifies that ``upon request a copy of each application 
shall be made available for public review,'' as opposed simply to ``for 
review.'' The revised provision no longer specifies that the copy made 
available shall be ``date stamped.'' To simplify the time period for 
commenting, the revised provision states that comments are due ``within 
30 days from the first date the name of the applicant is publicly 
posted,'' as opposed to ``15 days from the last date'' of the posting 
(applications must be posted for 15 days). Finally, the revised 
provision states that comments must include the commenter's name and 
address.
    The Department has made one revision to Sec.  1003.64(b)(2). The 
revision relates to the requirement that, in a declaration of continued 
eligibility, a provider must include alien registration numbers of pro 
bono clients. The revised provision requires that an organization must 
provide, for each case, either ``the name of the organization's 
attorneys or

[[Page 59508]]

representatives who provided representation or other pro bono legal 
services, or the name of the attorney, representative, or organization 
the case was referred to for pro bono legal services.'' This 
information is necessary for EOIR to verify organizations' compliance 
with the 50-hour requirement.
    The Department has simplified Sec.  1003.66, relating to when a 
provider must inform EOIR of changes in information or status. Under 
the revised provision, providers must contact EOIR in three situations: 
if the provider's contact information has changed; if any specific 
limitations to providing pro bono legal services have changed; and if 
the provider is no longer eligible to be included on the List under 
Sec.  1003.62. This section previously contained additional provisions, 
for example requiring organizations to inform EOIR of any change in the 
professional status of any attorney or representative providing pro 
bono legal services before EOIR. The simplified provision is clearer, 
and less burdensome on providers, than the previous version, while 
still ensuring that EOIR has adequate information about providers.
    Finally, for flexibility, the Department has revised Sec. Sec.  
1003.61, 1003.62, and 1003.63 to refer to recognition of organizations 
under 8 CFR part 1292, instead of Sec.  1292.2 For precision, Sec.  
1003.62(a)(2) has been revised to refer to a ``representative 
accredited under part 1292 of this chapter to practice before the 
immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals,'' instead of 
simply an ``accredited representative.'' The Department has deleted the 
provision, at Sec.  1003.62(b)(1) of the proposed rule, that, to be 
included on the List, a non-recognized organization must be 
``established in the United States.'' Upon reflection, this provision 
was unnecessary, as Sec.  1003.61(a)(3) defines an ``organization'' as 
``[a] non-profit religious, charitable, social service, or similar 
group established in the United States.'' The Department has revised 
Sec.  1003.62(b)(1) of the final rule (Sec.  1003.62(b)(2) of the 
proposed rule) to refer to an ``attorney or representative,'' as 
opposed simply to an attorney. As noted above, individuals other than 
attorneys can, in some circumstances, be authorized to provide 
representation on behalf of an organization. See 8 CFR 1292.1(a). For 
consistency with the rest of the rule, Sec.  1003.65(d)(3) has been 
revised to refer to ``pro bono legal services'' instead of simply ``pro 
bono services.''
    In addition, to accommodate the revisions described above, and to 
make the regulation more readable, the Department has made a few minor, 
non-substantive, revisions not referenced here.

V. Notice-and-Comment Requirements

    The revisions to the proposed rule do not require a new notice-and-
comment period. As noted above, the revisions pertaining to electronic 
filings and communications, at Sec. Sec.  1003.63(f), 1003.64(b), and 
1003.65(a)(2), (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4)(ii), pertain to ``agency 
organization, procedure, or practice'' under 5 U.S.C. 553(b). The other 
revised provisions are logical outgrowths of those in the proposed 
rule. See, e.g., Environmental Defense Center v. U.S. E.P.A., 344 F.3d 
832, 851-52 (9th Cir. 2003); American Water Works Ass'n v. E.P.A., 40 
F.3d 1266, 1274 (D.C. Cir. 1994).

VI. Privacy Act

    The Privacy Act of 1974 states that, except in certain 
circumstances, ``[n]o agency shall disclose any record which is 
contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any 
person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, 
or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record 
pertains . . . .'' 5 U.S.C. 552a(b). A ``system of records'' is ``a 
group of any records under the control of any agency from which 
information is retrieved by the name of an individual or by some 
identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to 
the individual.'' 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(5). An ``individual'' is ``a citizen 
of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent 
residence.'' 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(2). As a policy matter, where a system of 
records contains records pertaining both to ``individuals'' and to 
people or entities not covered by the Privacy Act, EOIR treats all the 
records as subject to the Privacy Act. Thus, EOIR will extend 
administrative Privacy Act protections to the records collected under 
this regulation even though the organizations, pro bono referral 
services, and attorneys the records pertain to are not all 
``individuals'' under the Privacy Act.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Administrative Privacy Act protections do not include the 
civil remedies under 5 U.S.C. 552a(g).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    One of the circumstances in which an agency can disclose records 
protected by the Privacy Act is ``for a routine use,'' which is a ``use 
. . . for a purpose which is compatible with the purpose for which [the 
record] was collected.'' 5 U.S.C. 552a(a)(7), (b)(3). An agency that 
maintains a system of records must publish, in the Federal Register, a 
system of records notice that includes, among other things, ``each 
routine use of the records contained in the system, including the 
categories of users and the purpose of such use.'' 5 U.S.C. 
552a(e)(4)(D). The Department will publish, in the Federal Register, a 
system of records notice that specifies the routine uses, in line with 
the provisions of this regulation, under which EOIR will disclose the 
information collected under this regulation.

VII. Regulatory Requirements

A. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 
605(b)), this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Some small entities, such as non-
profit organizations or small law offices, will be affected by this 
rule. Organizations or private attorneys may be removed from the List 
of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers if they are no longer qualified to 
be on the List under this final rule. Likewise, those who wish to have 
their names included on this List will be affected as they will have to 
demonstrate their eligibility to have their names listed.
    However, this rule has no effect on the ability of organizations or 
private attorneys to represent pro bono clients, or any other clients, 
and it applies only with respect to organizations and attorneys who 
choose to seek to be included on the List. Application for placement on 
the List is completely voluntary and does not confer any rights or 
benefits on such organizations or law offices. Placement on the List 
does not constitute government endorsement of a particular entity or 
private attorney; nor is the List to be used for advertising or 
soliciting. Rather, the purpose of the List is to notify individuals in 
immigration court proceedings that these entities or private attorneys 
are available to provide uncompensated legal services without any 
direct or indirect remuneration (other than filing fees or photocopying 
and mailing expenses).

B. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 
million or more in any one year and also will not significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed 
necessary under the provisions

[[Page 59509]]

of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1535).

C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule is not a major rule as defined by section 251 of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 
804). This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of 
$100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, 
productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based 
enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and 
export markets.

D. Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 (Regulatory Planning 
and Review)

    The Department has determined that this rule is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, and, therefore, it has not been 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Nevertheless, 
the Department certifies that this regulation has been drafted in 
accordance with the principles of Executive Order 12866, section 1(b), 
and Executive Order 13563. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct 
agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory 
alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory 
approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, 
environmental, public health, and safety effects, distributive impacts, 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, 
and promoting flexibility. Additionally, it calls on each agency to 
periodically review its existing regulations and determine whether any 
should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed so as to make 
the agency's regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in 
achieving its regulatory objectives.
    This rule affects the function and purpose of the List of Pro Bono 
Service Legal Service Providers. The benefits of this final rule 
include addressing long-standing problems of abuse associated with the 
existing List, updating the term ``free'' with ``pro bono'' legal 
services to reflect the proper statutory language, creating a minimum 
number of annual pro bono hours to ensure proper compliance with the 
spirit of the regulation, and creating greater agency flexibility to 
remove List participants who do not meet the minimum regulatory 
requirements. Further, the rule is intended to provide individuals in 
immigration court proceedings with better information regarding the 
availability of pro bono representation before the immigration courts, 
thus benefitting individuals who appear in proceedings before the 
courts.
    Burdens to the public are applicable only to attorneys and 
organizations making a voluntary decision to seek to be included on the 
List; these include requirements to apply for inclusion on the List, 
maintain updated contact information, perform a minimum of 50 annual 
pro bono hours of service at each immigration court location where the 
attorney or organization intends to be included on the List, and file a 
declaration every three years of continuing eligibility to be on the 
List. The regulations provide for removal from the List of a provider 
who can no longer meet the requirements of inclusion on the List. The 
Department examined these burdens to the public and has determined that 
the benefits outweigh the burdens. The Department believes that this 
rule will have a minimal economic impact on List participants because 
it provides List participants with flexible means of complying with the 
rule's requirements. Further, it will not have a substantial economic 
impact on Department functions, as the Department is already 
maintaining and updating such a List quarterly. The Department believes 
this rule will have a positive economic impact for individuals in 
proceedings before EOIR who need legal services, as the rule is 
intended to preserve the integrity of the List and ensure that 
providers on the List are actually available to provide pro bono legal 
services.

E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    This rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national Government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of 
Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have 
sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
federalism summary impact statement.

F. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This rule meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 3(a) 
and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

G. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review 
(EOIR), has submitted an information collection request to OMB for 
review and clearance in accordance with review procedures of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 
35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320. Some of the 
comments EOIR received following publication of the proposed rule 
related to this information collection. Notice of OMB approval for this 
information collection will be published in a future Federal Register 
document.
    One commenter suggested electronic filings and submissions. The 
Department contemplates implementing an electronic/Internet-based 
system in the future that may facilitate the collection of information. 
In the meantime, EOIR has created an optional Form EOIR-56, Request to 
be Included on the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for 
Individuals in Immigration Proceedings, to facilitate this information 
collection. The form will be made available on EOIR's Web site, in a 
fillable .pdf format. This rule implements new eligibility and 
application requirements in order for an organization, pro bono 
referral service, or attorney to be included on the List of Pro Bono 
Legal Service Providers. Organizations and private attorneys that file 
an application with EOIR to be included on the List must demonstrate 
that they provide, or plan to provide, a minimum of 50 hours per year 
of pro bono legal services at each immigration court location where 
they intend to be included on the List. Entities and individuals must 
indicate ``their availability to represent aliens in asylum proceedings 
on a pro bono basis'' (see INA 208(d)(4)(B)) and ``their availability 
to represent pro bono aliens in proceedings under section 240'' (see 
INA 239(b)(2)). They must also indicate whether there are any 
limitations on the services they plan to provide and in which 
immigration court locations they plan to provide such services. Private 
attorneys must demonstrate that they cannot otherwise provide such 
services through an organization or pro bono referral service. Finally, 
all providers must file a declaration or a new Form EOIR-56 every three 
years, certifying that they remain eligible to be on the List. One 
commenter was concerned with the safeguarding of the client information 
submitted in compliance with the periodic certification. The 
declaration certifying continuing eligibility, including the alien 
registration numbers of clients in whose

[[Page 59510]]

cases the provider rendered pro bono legal services each year, would 
not be subject to public review and would be subject to applicable 
privacy laws.
    EOIR currently uses appropriate information technology to reduce 
burden and improve data quality, agency efficiency, and responsiveness 
to the public. Under this rule, EOIR will continue to do so to the 
maximum extent practicable and will explore implementing technology to 
facilitate information collections. EOIR will collect the information 
for any person or entity seeking to be included on EOIR's List of Pro 
Bono Legal Service Providers. Under the current regulation, it is 
estimated that it takes a total of 17 hours annually to provide the 
required information (50 applicants per year at 20 minutes per 
application).
    Under the rule, it is estimated that 129 applicants will file 
applications each year for the first two years (phase-in period) and 
take an average of 30 minutes for each application, resulting in an 
estimated total of 65 hours each year. After the first two years, it is 
estimated that there will be 93 applicants per year, expending an 
average of 30 minutes for each application, resulting in an estimated 
total of 47 hours each year. This would be an increase from the current 
estimated annual hours by 48 hours annually for the two-year phase-in 
period and 30 hours annually for the succeeding years.

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 1003

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration, Legal 
services, Organizations and functions (Government agencies).

8 CFR Part 1240

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens.

8 CFR Part 1241

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Immigration.

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, parts 1003, 
1240, and 1241 of chapter V of title 8 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations are amended as follows:

PART 1003--EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW

0
1. The authority citation for part 1003 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 6 U.S.C. 521; 8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 
1154, 1155, 1158, 1182, 1226, 1229, 1229a, 1229b, 1229c, 1231, 
1254a, 1255, 1324d, 1330, 1361, 1362; 28 U.S.C. 509, 510, 1746; sec. 
2 Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1950; 3 CFR, 1949-1953 Comp., p. 1002; 
section 203 of Pub. L. 105-100, 111 Stat. 2196-200; sections 1506 
and 1510 of Pub. L. 106-386, 114 Stat. 1527-29, 1531-32; section 
1505 of Pub. L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763A-326 to -328.


Sec.  1003.1  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  1003.1 by removing and reserving paragraph (b)(11).

0
3. Revise the heading for subpart E to read as follows:

Subpart E--List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers

0
4. Revise Sec.  1003.61 to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.61  General provisions.

    (a) Definitions--(1) Director. Director means the Director of the 
Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), pursuant to 8 CFR 
1001.1(o), and shall also include any office or official within EOIR to 
whom the Director delegates authority with respect to subpart E of this 
part.
    (2) Pro bono legal services. Pro bono legal services are those 
uncompensated legal services performed for indigent individuals or the 
public good without any expectation of either direct or indirect 
remuneration, including referral fees (other than filing fees or 
photocopying and mailing expenses), although a representative may be 
regularly compensated by the firm, organization, or pro bono referral 
service with which he or she is associated.
    (3) Organization. A non-profit religious, charitable, social 
service, or similar group established in the United States.
    (4) Pro bono referral service. A referral service, offered by a 
non-profit group, association, or similar organization established in 
the United States that assists persons in locating pro bono 
representation by making case referrals to attorneys or organizations 
that are available to provide pro bono representation.
    (5) Provider. Any organization, pro bono referral service, or 
attorney whose name is included on the List of Pro Bono Legal Service 
Providers.
    (b) Authority. The Director shall maintain a list, known as the 
List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (List), of organizations, pro 
bono referral services, and attorneys qualified under this subpart to 
provide pro bono legal services in immigration proceedings. The List, 
which shall be updated not less than quarterly, shall be provided to 
individuals in removal and other proceedings before an immigration 
court.
    (c) Qualification. An organization, pro bono referral service, or 
attorney qualifies to be included on the List if the eligibility 
requirements under Sec.  1003.62 and the application procedures under 
Sec.  1003.63 are met.
    (d) Organizations. Approval of an organization's application to be 
included on the List under this subpart is not equivalent to 
recognition under part 1292 of this chapter. Recognition under part 
1292 of this chapter does not constitute a successful application for 
purposes of the List.

0
5. Revise Sec.  1003.62 to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.62  Eligibility.

    (a) Organizations recognized under part 1292. An organization that 
is recognized under part 1292 of this chapter is eligible to apply to 
have its name included on the List if the organization meets the 
requirements in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) of this section.
    (1) The organization will provide a minimum of 50 hours per year of 
pro bono legal services to individuals at each immigration court 
location where the organization intends to be included on the List, in 
cases where an attorney or representative of the organization, or an 
attorney or representative to whom the organization has referred the 
case for pro bono representation, files a Form EOIR-28 Notice of Entry 
of Appearance as Attorney or Representative before the Immigration 
Court (EOIR-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance). When an attorney or 
representative of the organization represents the individual pro bono 
before the immigration court location, the organization may count, 
toward the 50-hour requirement, the attorney's or representative's out-
of-court preparation time and in-court time. When the organization 
refers the case for pro bono legal services outside the organization, 
the organization may count, toward the 50-hour requirement, time the 
organization's attorneys and representatives spent providing pro bono 
legal services, for example conducting an intake interview or mentoring 
the attorney or representative to whom the case is referred. However, 
the organization is not permitted to count the time of the attorney or 
representative to whom the case was referred.
    (2) The organization has on its staff at least one attorney, as 
defined in Sec.  1292.1(a)(1) of this chapter, or at least one 
representative accredited under part 1292 of this chapter, to practice 
before the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
    (3) No attorney or representative who will provide pro bono legal 
services on

[[Page 59511]]

the organization's behalf in cases pending before EOIR is the subject 
of an order of disbarment under Sec.  1003.101(a)(1) or suspension 
under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2).
    (b) Organizations not recognized under part 1292. An organization 
that is not recognized under part 1292 of this chapter is eligible to 
apply to have its name included on the List if the organization meets 
the requirements in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section.
    (1) The organization will provide a minimum of 50 hours per year of 
pro bono legal services to individuals at each immigration court 
location where the organization intends to be included on the List, in 
cases where an attorney or representative of the organization, or an 
attorney or representative to whom the organization has referred the 
case for pro bono representation, files a Form EOIR-28 Notice of Entry 
of Appearance. When an attorney or representative of the organization 
represents the individual pro bono before the immigration court 
location, the organization may count, toward the 50-hour requirement, 
the attorney's or representative's out-of-court preparation time and 
in-court time. When the organization refers the case for pro bono legal 
services outside the organization, the organization may count, toward 
the 50-hour requirement, time the organization's attorneys or 
representatives spent providing pro bono legal services, for example 
conducting an intake interview or mentoring the attorney or 
representative to whom the case is referred. However, the organization 
is not permitted to count the time of the attorney or representative to 
whom the case was referred.
    (2) The organization has on its staff at least one attorney, as 
defined in Sec.  1292.1(a)(1) of this chapter.
    (3) No attorney or representative who will provide pro bono legal 
services on the organization's behalf in cases pending before EOIR is 
the subject of an order of disbarment under Sec.  1003.101(a)(1) or 
suspension under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2).
    (c) Pro bono referral services. A referral service is eligible to 
apply to have its name included on the List at each immigration court 
location where the referral service either refers or plans to refer 
cases to attorneys or organizations that will provide pro bono legal 
services to individuals in proceedings before an immigration judge.
    (d) Attorneys. An attorney, as defined in Sec.  1292.1(a)(1) of 
this chapter, is eligible to apply to have his or her name included on 
the List if the attorney meets the requirements in paragraphs (d)(1) 
through (3) of this section.
    (1) The attorney is not the subject of an order of disbarment under 
Sec.  1003.101(a)(1) or suspension under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2);
    (2) The attorney will provide a minimum of 50 hours per year of pro 
bono legal services to individuals at each immigration court location 
where the attorney intends to be included on the List, in cases where 
he or she files a Form EOIR-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance. The 
attorney may count, toward the requirement, both out-of-court 
preparation time and in-court time.
    (3) The attorney cannot provide pro bono legal services through or 
in association with an organization or pro bono referral service 
described in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section because:
    (i) Such an organization or referral service is unavailable; or
    (ii) The range of services provided by an available organization(s) 
or referral service(s) is insufficient to address the needs of the 
community.

0
6. Revise Sec.  1003.63 to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.63  Applications.

    (a) Generally. To be included on the List, any organization, pro 
bono referral service, or attorney that is eligible under Sec.  1003.62 
to apply to be included on the List must file an application with the 
Director. Applications must be received by the Director at least 60 
days in advance of the quarterly update in order to be considered. The 
application must:
    (1) Establish by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant 
qualifies to be on the List pursuant to Sec.  1003.61(c);
    (2) Specify how the organization, pro bono referral service, or 
attorney wants its name and contact information to be set forth on the 
List; and
    (3) Identify each immigration court location where the 
organization, pro bono referral service, or attorney provides, or plans 
to provide, pro bono legal services.
    (b) Organizations. An organization, whether recognized or not under 
part 1292, must submit with its application a declaration signed by an 
authorized officer of the organization that states under penalty of 
perjury:
    (1) That it will provide annually at least 50 hours of pro bono 
legal services to individuals in removal or other proceedings before 
each immigration court location identified in its application;
    (2) That every attorney and accredited representative who will 
represent clients pro bono before EOIR on behalf of the organization is 
registered to practice before EOIR under Sec.  1292.1(f);
    (3) That no attorney or representative who will provide pro bono 
legal services on behalf of the organization in cases pending before 
EOIR:
    (i) Is under any order suspending, enjoining, restraining, 
disbarring, or otherwise restricting him or her in the practice of law; 
or
    (ii) Is the subject of an order of disbarment under Sec.  
1003.101(a)(1) or suspension under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2); and
    (4) Any specific limitations it has in providing pro bono legal 
services (e.g., not available to assist detained individuals or those 
with criminal convictions, or available for asylum cases only).
    (c) Pro bono referral services. A pro bono referral service must 
submit with its application a declaration signed by an authorized 
officer of the referral service that states under penalty of perjury:
    (1) That it will offer its referral services to individuals in 
removal or other proceedings before each immigration court location 
identified in its application; and
    (2) Any specific limitations it has in providing its pro bono 
referral services (e.g., not available to assist detained individuals 
or those with criminal convictions, or available only for asylum 
cases).
    (d) Attorneys. An attorney must submit with his or her application 
a declaration that states under penalty of perjury:
    (1) That he or she will provide annually at least 50 hours of pro 
bono legal services to individuals in removal or other proceedings 
before each immigration court location identified in his or her 
application;
    (2) Any specific limitations the attorney has in providing pro bono 
legal services (e.g., not available to assist detained individuals or 
those with criminal convictions, or available for asylum cases only);
    (3) A description of the good-faith efforts he or she made to 
provide pro bono legal services through an organization or pro bono 
referral service described in Sec.  1003.62(a), (b), or (c) to 
individuals appearing before each immigration court location listed in 
the application;
    (4) An explanation that any such organization or referral service 
is unavailable or that the range of services provided by available 
organization(s) or referral service(s) is insufficient to address the 
needs of the community;
    (5) His or her EOIR registration number;

[[Page 59512]]

    (6) That he or she is not under any order suspending, enjoining, 
restraining, disbarring, or otherwise restricting him or her in the 
practice of law; and
    (7) That he or she is not the subject of an order of disbarment 
under Sec.  1003.101(a)(1) or suspension under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2).
    (e) Applications approved before November 30, 2015. Providers whose 
applications to be included on the List were approved before November 
30, 2015 must file an application under this section as follows: 
Organizations and pro bono referral services, within one year of 
November 30, 2015; attorneys, within six months of November 30, 2015. 
The names of providers who do not file an application as required by 
this paragraph shall be removed from the List following expiration of 
the application time period, the removal of which will be reflected no 
later than in the next quarterly update.
    (f) Notice and comments--(1) Public notice and comment. The names 
of the applicants, whether organizations, pro bono referral services, 
or individuals, meeting the regulatory requirements to be included on 
the List shall be publicly posted for 15 days after review of the 
applications by the Director, and upon request a copy of each 
application shall be made available for public review. Any individual 
may forward to the Director comments or a recommendation for approval 
or disapproval of an application within 30 days from the first date the 
name of the applicant is publicly posted. The commenting party shall 
include his or her name and address. A comment or recommendation may be 
sent to the Director electronically, in which case the Director shall 
transmit the comment or recommendation to the applicant. A comment or 
recommendation not sent to the Director electronically must include 
proof of service on the applicant, in accordance with the definition of 
``service'' set forth in Sec.  1003.13.
    (2) Response. The applicant has 15 days to respond from the date 
the applicant was served with, or notified by the Director of, the 
comment. All responses must be filed with the Director and include 
proof of service of a copy of such response on the commenting party, in 
accordance with the definition of ``service'' set forth in Sec.  
1003.13.

0
7. Revise Sec.  1003.64 to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.64  Approval and denial of applications.

    (a) Authority. The Director in his discretion shall have the 
authority to approve or deny an application to be included on the List 
of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers. The Director may request 
additional information from the applicant to determine whether the 
applicant qualifies to be included on the List.
    (b) Decision. The applicant shall be notified of the decision in 
writing. The written notice shall be served in accordance with the 
definition of ``service'' set forth in Sec.  1003.13, at the address 
provided on the application unless the applicant subsequently provides 
a change of address pursuant to Sec.  1003.66, or shall be transmitted 
to the applicant electronically.
    (1) Denials. If the application is denied, the applicant shall be 
given a written explanation of the grounds for such denial, and the 
decision shall be final. Such denial shall be without prejudice to file 
another application at any time after the next quarterly publication of 
the List.
    (2) Approval and continuing qualification. If the application is 
approved, the applicant's name will be included on the List at the next 
quarterly update. Every three years from the date of approval, a 
provider must file with the Director a declaration, under penalty of 
perjury, stating that the provider remains qualified to be included on 
the List under Sec.  1003.62(a), (b), (c), or (d). For organizations 
and attorneys, the declaration must include alien registration numbers 
of clients in whose cases the provider rendered pro bono legal services 
under Sec.  1003.62(a)(1), (b)(1), or (d)(2), representing at least 50 
hours of pro bono legal services each year since the provider's most 
recent such declaration, or since the provider was included on the 
List, whichever was more recent. Organizations must provide, for each 
case listed, the name of the organization's attorneys or 
representatives who provided representation or other pro bono legal 
services, or the name of the attorney, representative, or organization 
the case was referred to for pro bono legal services. If a provider 
fails to timely file the declaration or declares that it is no longer 
qualified to be included on the List, the provider's name will be 
removed from the List at the next quarterly update. Failure to file a 
declaration within the applicable time period does not prohibit the 
filing of a new application to be included on the List.

0
8. Revise Sec.  1003.65 to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.65  Removal of a provider from the List.

    (a) Automatic removal. If the Director determines that an attorney 
on the List is the subject of a final order of disbarment under Sec.  
1003.101(a)(1), or an order of suspension under Sec.  1003.101(a)(2), 
then the Director shall:
    (1) Remove the name of the attorney from the List no later than at 
the next quarterly update; and
    (2) Notify the attorney of such removal in writing, at the last 
known address given by the provider or electronically.
    (b) Requests for removal. (1) Any provider may, at any time, submit 
a written request to have the provider's name removed from the List. 
The written request may include an explanation for the voluntary 
removal. Upon such written request, the name of the provider shall be 
removed from the List, and such removal will be reflected no later than 
in the next quarterly update.
    (2) Any provider removed from the List at the provider's request 
may seek reinstatement to the List upon written notice to the Director. 
Any request for reinstatement must include a new declaration of 
eligibility, as set forth under Sec.  1003.63(b), (c), or (d). 
Reinstatement to the List is at the sole discretion of the Director. 
Upon the Director's approval of reinstatement, the provider's name 
shall be included on the List no later than in the next quarterly 
update. Reinstatement to the List does not affect the requirement under 
Sec.  1003.64(b)(2) that a provider submit a new declaration of 
eligibility every three years from the date of the approval of the 
original application to be included on the List.
    (c) EOIR inquiry in response to complaints. If EOIR receives 
complaints that a particular provider on the List may no longer be 
accepting new pro bono clients, the Director may send a written inquiry 
to the provider noting that EOIR has received complaints with regard to 
the provider's acceptance of pro bono clients and allowing an 
opportunity for the provider to state whether the provider is 
continuing to comply with the regulations in this subpart or, if 
appropriate, whether the provider wishes to request voluntary removal 
from the List as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. The 
Director may remove a provider from the List for failure to respond to 
a written inquiry issued under this paragraph within 30 days or such 
additional time period stated by the Director in the written inquiry.
    (d) Procedures for removing providers from the List. The following 
provisions apply in cases not covered by paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of 
this section.
    (1) Grounds. A provider shall be removed from the List if it, he, 
or she:
    (i) Fails to comply with Sec.  1003.66;

[[Page 59513]]

    (ii) Has filed a false declaration in connection with an 
application filed pursuant to Sec.  1003.63;
    (iii) Improperly uses the List primarily to advertise or solicit 
clients for compensated legal services; or
    (iv) Fails to comply with any and all other requirements of this 
subpart.
    (2) Notice. If the Director determines that a provider falls within 
one or more of the enumerated grounds under paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, the Director shall promptly notify the provider in writing, at 
the address last provided to the Director by the provider or 
electronically, of the Director's intention to remove the name of the 
provider from the List.
    (3) Response. The provider may submit a written answer within 30 
days from the date the notice is served, as described in Sec.  1003.13, 
or is sent to the provider electronically. The provider must establish 
by clear and convincing evidence that the provider continues to meet 
the qualifications for inclusion on the List, by declaration under 
penalty of perjury as to the provider's continued compliance with 
eligibility requirements under this subchapter, which must include 
alien registration numbers of clients in whose cases the provider 
rendered pro bono legal services under Sec.  1003.62(a)(1), (b)(2), or 
(d)(2), representing at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services each 
year since the provider's most recent declaration under Sec.  
1003.64(b)(2), or since the provider was included on the List, 
whichever was more recent.
    (4) Decision. If, after consideration of any response submitted by 
the provider, the Director determines that the provider is no longer 
qualified to remain on the List, the Director shall:
    (i) Remove the name of the provider from the List no later than in 
the next quarterly update; and
    (ii) Notify the provider of such removal in writing, at the address 
last provided to the Director by the provider or electronically.
    (5) Disciplinary Action. Removal from the List pursuant to Sec.  
1003.65(a), (b), (c), or (d) shall be without prejudice to the 
authority to discipline a practitioner under EOIR's rules and 
procedures for professional conduct for practitioners listed in 8 CFR 
part 1003, subpart G.

0
9. Add Sec.  1003.66 to read as follows:


Sec.  1003.66  Changes in information or status.

    All providers with a pending application or currently on the List 
must notify the Director in writing within ten business days if:
    (a) The provider's contact information has changed;
    (b) Any specific limitations in providing pro bono legal services 
under Sec.  1003.63(b)(4), (c)(2), or (d)(2) have changed; or
    (c) The provider is no longer eligible under Sec.  1003.62.

PART 1240--PROCEEDINGS TO DETERMINE REMOVABILITY OF ALIENS IN THE 
UNITED STATES

0
10. The authority citation for part 1240 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  8 U.S.C. 1103, 1182, 1186a, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 
1251, 1252 note, 1252a, 1252b, 1362; secs. 202 and 203, Pub. L. 105-
100 (111 Stat. 2160, 2193); sec. 902, Pub. L. 105-277, (112 Stat. 
2681).


0
11. In Sec.  1240.10, revise paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1240.10  Hearing.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Advise the respondent of the availability of pro bono legal 
services for the immigration court location at which the hearing will 
take place, and ascertain that the respondent has received a list of 
such pro bono legal service providers.
    (3) Ascertain that the respondent has received a copy of appeal 
rights.
* * * * *


Sec.  1240.32  [Amended]

0
12. In Sec.  1240.32, amend paragraph (a) by removing the words 
``Government, and of the availability of free legal services programs 
qualified under 8 CFR part 1003 and organizations recognized pursuant 
to Sec.  1292.2 of this chapter located in the district where his or 
her exclusion hearing is to be held; and shall ascertain that the 
applicant has received a list of such programs'' and adding, in their 
place, the words ``Government; advise him or her of the availability of 
pro bono legal services for the immigration court location at which the 
hearing will take place, and ascertain that he or she has received a 
list of such pro bono legal service providers''.


Sec.  1240.48  [Amended]

0
13. In Sec.  1240.48, amend paragraph (a) by removing the words ``free 
legal services programs qualified under 8 CFR part 1003 and 
organizations recognized pursuant to Sec.  1292.2 of this chapter, 
located in the district where the deportation hearing is being held; 
ascertain that the respondent has received a list of such programs'' 
and adding, in their place, the words ``pro bono legal services for the 
immigration court location at which the hearing will take place; 
ascertain that the respondent has received a list of such pro bono 
legal service providers''.

PART 1241--APPREHENSION AND DETENTION OF ALIENS ORDERED REMOVED

0
14. The authority citation for part 1241 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301, 552, 552a; 8 U.S.C. 1103, 1182, 1223, 
1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1231, 1251, 1253, 1255, 1330, 1362; 18 
U.S.C. 4002, 4013(c)(4).


Sec.  1241.14  [Amended]

0
15. InSec.  1241.14, amend paragraph (g)(3)(i) by removing the words 
``a list of free legal service providers,'' and adding, in their place, 
the words ``the List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for the 
immigration court at which the hearing is being held''.

    Dated: September 15, 2015.
Sally Quillian Yates,
Deputy Attorney General.
[FR Doc. 2015-24017 Filed 9-29-15; 11:15 am]
 BILLING CODE 4410-30-P