GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS (continued)
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Item #4 - Check the appropriate box if seeking to renew either full or partial accreditation at the same organization.
Current accreditation will remain valid pending the BIA’s decision on renewal of accreditation, provided the request
for renewal is received by the BIA at least 60 days prior to the 3-year expiration date. Provide the date of last
approval of accreditation, and attach a copy of the last approval order. Renewal of accreditation also requires
documentation demonstrating continuing good moral character and immigration legal training since the date of last
approval of accreditation.
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Item #4 - If seeking to change accreditation from partial to full or full to partial at the time of renewal, please be sure
to indicate the new type of accreditation sought in Item #3. In Item #4 indicate the last type of accreditation approved.
If a proposed representative does not qualify for a change to full accreditation, the Board may approve the application
for renewal of partial accreditation.
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Item #5 - Provide documentation, such as character reference letters from professionals in the community and
background checks, to show this individual possesses good moral character.
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Item #5 - Provide documentation demonstrating this individual possesses a broad knowledge of immigration and
nationality law, practice, and procedure. Include a resume and legal training information. Information regarding
formal training courses should include (at a minimum) the title of the training, the provider’s name, date(s) and
duration of the training, the topics covered, and whether the training was attended in person or through other means.
Provide certificates of completion and the results of any formal tests taken during training, if available.
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Item #5 - Eligibility for partial accreditation requires at least one formal training course designed to give new
practitioners a solid overview of the fundamentals of immigration law and procedure. Additional training courses in
specific topics of immigration law and/or practical experience is highly recommended.
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Item #5 - Eligibility for full accreditation requires – in addition to the requirements to establish eligibility for partial
accreditation – training courses, education, and/or experience showing oral and written trial and appellate advocacy
skills. If the full accreditation eligibility requirements are not met, full accreditation will not be approved, but the
Board may grant partial accreditation.
D. Who must verify the contents of the form:
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Item #6 - An official of the applicant organization, who is authorized to act on behalf of the organization, such as the
President or Executive Director, must sign and affirm that the form and its attachments are true, correct, and complete.
An individual may not apply for accreditation for himself or herself, unless the individual is also an officer of the
applicant organization.
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Item #6 - The proposed representative also must attest to his or her good moral character and to the truthfulness and
accuracy of the contents of the form and its attachments.
E. Who must be sent a copy of the form and its attachments:
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Item #7 - The organization must send an exact copy of the form and its attachments to two DHS offices: the District
Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Chief Counsel for Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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Item #7 - Complete and sign the “proof of service.” The proof of service is the organization’s formal guarantee that
copies of this form and its attachments have been sent to the appropriate DHS offices. Every filing – whether the
recognition or accreditation application, additional supporting documents, or other submission to the BIA – must
clearly contain a proof of service to the District Director of USCIS and the Chief Counsel of ICE in the jurisdiction
where the organization is located. To identify the appropriate DHS offices, the organization should consult the USCIS
website at http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office and ICE website at http://ice.gov/contact/opla
or a DHS office.
For more information about applying for accreditation, visit the EOIR website at: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.htm
Optional Form EOIR-31A
October 2014
