Immigration Court Cases in the United States

Combining and Separating Cases in relation to Immigration Courts

(information based on the DoJ Manual)

Consolidated cases

Consolidation of cases is the administrative joining of separate cases into a single adjudication for all of the parties involved. Consolidation is generally limited to cases involving immediate family members. The Immigration Court may consolidate cases at its discretion or upon motion of one or both of the parties, where appropriate. For example, the Immigration Court may grant consolidation when spouses or siblings have separate but overlapping circumstances or claims for relief. Consolidation must be sought through the filing of a written motion that states the reasons for requesting consolidation. Such motion should include a cover page labeled “MOTION FOR CONSOLIDATION” and comply with the deadlines and requirements for filing. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Filing with the Immigration Court. A copy of the motion should be filed for each case included in the request for consolidation. The motion should be filed as far in advance of any filing deadline as possible. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Timing of submissions.

Severance of cases

Severance of cases is the division of a consolidated case into separate cases, relative to each individual. The Immigration Court may sever cases in its discretion or upon request of one or both of the parties. Severance must be sought through the filing of a written motion that states the reasons for requesting severance. Such motion should include a cover page labeled “MOTION FOR SEVERANCE” and comply with the deadlines and requirements for filing. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Filing before the Immigration Court. A copy of the motion should be filed for each case included in the request for severance. Parties are advised, however, that such motion should be filed as far in advance of any filing deadline as possible. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Timing of submissions.

Combining and Separating Cases in relation to Immigration Courts

(information based on the DoJ Manual)

Consolidated cases

Consolidation of cases is the administrative joining of separate cases into a single adjudication for all of the parties involved. Consolidation is generally limited to cases involving immediate family members. The Immigration Court may consolidate cases at its discretion or upon motion of one or both of the parties, where appropriate. For example, the Immigration Court may grant consolidation when spouses or siblings have separate but overlapping circumstances or claims for relief. Consolidation must be sought through the filing of a written motion that states the reasons for requesting consolidation. Such motion should include a cover page labeled “MOTION FOR CONSOLIDATION” and comply with the deadlines and requirements for filing. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Filing with the Immigration Court. A copy of the motion should be filed for each case included in the request for consolidation. The motion should be filed as far in advance of any filing deadline as possible. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Timing of submissions.

Severance of cases

Severance of cases is the division of a consolidated case into separate cases, relative to each individual. The Immigration Court may sever cases in its discretion or upon request of one or both of the parties. Severance must be sought through the filing of a written motion that states the reasons for requesting severance. Such motion should include a cover page labeled “MOTION FOR SEVERANCE” and comply with the deadlines and requirements for filing. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Filing before the Immigration Court. A copy of the motion should be filed for each case included in the request for severance. Parties are advised, however, that such motion should be filed as far in advance of any filing deadline as possible. See (in this American law platform, in relation to immigration courts and judges) Timing of submissions.