Comparing Local OPLA Interim Guidance Requirements For Documenting Criminal Histories

This comparison builds upon our recent practice alert, “Advocating for Clients in Removal Proceedings Using the OPLA Prosecutorial Discretion Memo,” and contains a brief overview of the variation in requirements for criminal history documentation, along with a chart containing each of the guidance provisions relating to criminal histories. NIPNLG reviewed copies of the guidance issued by all 25 of the main field offices, 23 of which were issued on OPLA letterhead or in standard operating procedures, 1 set of instructions that was issued by the Dallas Field Office in the form of an email to practitioners, and 1 set of instructions that was shared during the AILA-OPLA Newark meeting on July 22, 2021.