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Oral Opposition to Dismissal Template for Pro Se Respondents

Community Explainer
Issue area
Detention
Removal Defense
Audience
Community Advocate
Published: Jun. 2, 2025

Beginning in May, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been orally requesting dismissal of both represented and unrepresented noncitizens’ removal proceedings in immigration court. Once the immigration judge grants dismissal, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents then arrest the noncitizen in or around immigration court buildings with the goal of placing them in expedited removal. Expedited removal is a process through which ICE can detain someone without access to release under bond and deport a person without giving them a hearing in immigration court.This Oral Opposition to Dismissal Template for Pro Se Respondents provides pro se noncitizens guidance on how to oppose a DHS motion to dismiss.