Guidance Records on BIA Appeal Processing at the BIA Clerk's Office

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Current guidance describing how BIA staff process appeals and motions from the time the BIA receives the appeal or motion papers from the filing party. For example, we are looking for documents that describe how staff at the BIA clerk's office will receive appeals or motions papers, enter them into the CASE database, assign a case manager, determine initial checks to make sure the appeal is filed properly, order a transcript (or not), issue a briefing schedule, assign the fully briefed appeal to an attorney to write an opinion, assign the matter the BIA members who will adjudicate the appeal, process the appeal once the decision has been made, mail the decision to the parties, and enter the decision into the CASE database.

This might include checklists for BIA Clerk's office employees when processing new appeals or motions, processing sheets, handbooks or manuals, Standard Operating Procedures, or training materials on how to intake and process appeals and motions.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Matthew Hoppock