EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS)

The EOIR Courts & Appeals System (ECAS) is part of an overarching information technology modernization effort at EOIR. ECAS was first introduced in July 2018 to phase out paper filing and processing, and to retain all records and case-related documents in electronic format. Now fully implemented at all immigration courts and adjudication centers and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), ECAS supports the full life cycle of an immigration case including: electronic filing of court and appeals documents, processing and receiving filings, maintaining electronic Records of Proceedings (ROPs), preparing case information, conducting a hearing, and adjudicating appeals, while providing cost and time savings for all parties.

ECAS is composed of multiple applications dedicated to different stakeholders, including:

• ECAS Case Portal for attorneys and accredited representatives.
• ECAS DHS Portal for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) users.
• ECAS Payment Portal for those paying filing fees related to appeals.
• Respondent Access for unrepresented (pro se) individuals.

GUIDELINES FOR UPLOADING DOCUMENTS

https://case-access.eoir.justice.gov/assets

1. An electronically filed document must be 25 megabytes (MB) or less. Documents larger than 25MB must be split into multiple files and uploaded separately. If a submission includes multiple files, each document name should be numbered indicating the part and order of the submission (e.g., Johnson_Brief_Part1, Johnson_Brief_Part2).
   Separate submissions cannot be combined into a single file (i.e., do not combine submissions for different document types from the dropdown into one uploaded file). For example, if a user wants to file an asylum application, a supporting brief, and country conditions documentation, the user should separately file: (1) the application; (2) then the brief; and (3) then the country conditions evidence.
2. A Certificate of Service must be included for each document uploaded.
3. Uploaded documents cannot contain active hyperlinks to non EOIR websites.
4. Representative signatures: Representatives may submit documents with a scanned copy of their handwritten signature, a conformed signature, or an electronic signature. Representatives are not required to provide a signature attestation as all documents submitted under the representative's login are automatically considered attested to by that representative. CONFORMED SIGNATURE EXAMPLE: /S/ John Doe
   Noncitizen signatures: A representative who is electronically filing a document that requires the noncitizen's signature may submit a scanned copy of the document containing the noncitizen's handwritten ink signature. The representative may also use a conformed signature for the noncitizen as long as the representative maintains a copy of the document with the noncitizen's handwritten ink signature. In all cases, the representative must bring the document with the noncitizen's handwritten signature on it to their court hearings. CONFORMED SIGNATURE EXAMPLE: /S/ John Doe
   If using a conformed signature for the noncitizen, the representative must include a signature attestation with the filing. The signature attestation must be attached to the end of the electronically filed document and is required to state that the representative has the document containing the noncitizen's handwritten signature on-file.
   SIGNATURE ATTESTATION EXAMPLE: I hereby attest that I have on file all original handwritten signatures corresponding to any signatures indicated by a conformed signature (/S/ Name) within this electronically filed document.
5. Scanned documents must be at a resolution of 300 dots per inch (DPI) or higher. Users should use a reasonable resolution that minimizes file size while still providing clear readability.
6. PDF is the preferred format for all submissions. JPEG (or JPG) may also be used, but should be limited to submissions that cannot be submitted in PDF, such as photographs. For ease of navigation, bookmarking PDF submissions is recommended. For example, if uploading a country conditions packet consisting of multiple reports and articles, bookmarking each piece of the submission is recommended.
7. All multi-page documents must have page numbers.
8. When scanning and uploading documents, please make sure the pages do not appear upside down.
9. Before uploading a document, please make sure the page format is set to 8.5 x 11 inches in either portrait or landscape page orientation.
10. “Emergency Stay” should be selected in the upload menu when requesting a stay of removal if the execution of a removal order is imminent.
11. Bond requests must be uploaded separately under the “Bond Redetermination Request” screen. Bond requests should not be uploaded within a removal proceeding as a motion or other filing.
12. Filers must maintain the originals of any documents that are electronically filed and must make the originals available for production for the court or the BIA, if so ordered, or for inspection upon request by a party.

Case Portal Download Guidelines

1. An attorney or accredited representative can view and download individual documents in an eROP or download a copy of the entire eROP.
2. To view and download individual documents within an eROP, the user must select the relevant case in the left hand pane of that noncitizen's case page. All documents in that eROP will then be displayed for viewing and downloading on the right hand pane under "All Documents."
3. To download a copy of the entire eROP, the user must select the “Download eROP” button for the relevant eROP. Once the eROP is ready for download, it will only be available for 24 hours. The download consists of one consolidated, zipped file containing all of the documents that have been accepted into the official record of proceeding. Each unique eROP (e.g., bond, merits) that falls under an A-Number is available for download in separate zip files.

ECAS Outage Log

For technical support, email ECAS.techsupport@usdoj.gov or call 1-877-388-3842 Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, from 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time.