EOIR Updates Guidance for Dedicated Docket Cases

OOD PM 25-41 Effective: August 19, 2025 To: All of EOIR From: Sirce E. Owen, Acting Director Date: August 19, 2025 UPDATES TO THE DEDICATED DOCKET PURPOSE: Establishes updated guidance for the Dedicated Docket OWNER: Office of the Director AUTHORITY: EOIR Memorandum, Case Priorities and Immigration Court Performance Measures (Jan. 2018); 8 C.F.R. §§ 1003.0(b), 1003.1(a)(2), 1003.9(b) CANCELLATION: Policy Memorandum 21-23 On May 27, 2021, EOIR issued Policy Memorandum (PM) 21-23, Dedicated Docket, creating the Dedicated Docket in ten cities to focus on the adjudication of cases involving families who crossed the southern border and whom the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) placed on its Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program. As part of its continued commitment to ensuring the timely resolution of such cases in a fair and impartial manner, EOIR is now expanding the Dedicated Docket to all immigration courts nationwide that do not adjudicate cases exclusively for detained aliens. EOIR is also revising the initial goals in PM 21-23 to better reflect its organizational aspirations for improved efficiency. Accordingly, this PM supersedes and replaces EOIR PM 21-23. Moving forward, DHS may schedule any cases placed on its ATD program onto the Dedicated Docket. EOIR Immigration Judges will endeavor to issue a decision in each Dedicated Docket case within 180 days of the initial master calendar hearing. Similarly, EOIR Appellate Immigration Judges will endeavor to issue a decision in each Dedicated Docket case within 90 days of the filing of any Notice of Appeal. The Office of the Chief Immigration Judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals will provide additional case management guidance as needed to assist judges in meeting these goals. EOIR remains committed to the timely resolution of immigration court cases in a fair and impartial manner. Importantly, the adjudication timeframes established by this PM are internal goals. EOIR judges must continue to be mindful in every case to evaluate continuance requests in accordance with the law. The cancellation of PM 21-23 does not reinstate the PM it cancelled, PM 19-04. See 8 C.F.R. § 1003.29; see also EOIR PM 21-23, Continuances (Jan. 8, 2021) (highlighting applicable law). SIRCE OWENDigitally signed by SIRCE OWEN Date: 2025.08.19 08:28:09 -04'00'

This PM is not intended to, does not, and may not be relied upon to create, any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. Nothing herein should be construed as mandating a particular outcome in any specific case. Nothing in this PM limits an adjudicator’s independent judgment and discretion in adjudicating cases or an adjudicator’s authority under applicable law. Please contact your supervisor if you have any questions.