The Immigration Court Observation Project draws on the international human rights practice of trial monitoring to identify, bring visibility to, and end systemic human rights violations arising in the context of civil immigration enforcement.
The project brings observers from the public into the Fort Snelling Immigration Court in Minnesota to observe and document immigration hearings. The project launched in 2017 to monitor hearings of people facing deportation while held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. Today, volunteers observe hearings on the detained, non-detained, and dedicated families and children dockets.
The Immigration Court Observation Project is a collaboration among The Advocates for Human Rights, the James H. Binger Center for New Americans at the University of Minnesota Law School, and Robins Kaplan LLP in Minnesota.
![[ai] A digital issue brief titled "Unaccompanied Children" from the Immigration Court Observation Project, dated October 2023, featuring the logo of The Advocates for Human Rights at the bottom.](/Res/250/ICOP Bulletin Thumbnail UAC 2023 (1).png "ICOP Bulletin Thumbnail UAC 2023 (1).png")
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Report
Immigration Court Observation Project Issue Brief: Unaccompanied Children
![[ai] A courtroom sketch showing a judge in a black robe, two individuals seated, and a lawyer's desk. A man in an orange jumpsuit is speaking. Text notes on the sketch reference legal status and options.](/Res/250/Immigration Court Website News Item 2.png "Immigration Court Website News Item.png")
![[ai] A sketch depicting a courtroom scene with individuals attending a remote hearing. Text overlay reads 'Immigration Detention and COVID-19 in Minnesota: Illuminating Human Rights Concerns in Minnesota Jails.'](/Res/250/imm detention covid 19 in mn.png "imm detention covid 19 in mn.png")
Monday, March 1, 2021
Report
Immigration Detention and COVID-19: Illuminating Human Rights Concerns in Minnesota Jails
![[ai] A hand-drawn illustration featuring a courtroom scene with a U.S. flag in the background. Text overlay reads "Bearing Witness in the Moment, Report from the Immigration Court Observation Project." The image depicts court activities including a defendant and attorneys.](/Res/250/bearing witness 2.png "bearing witness.png")
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Report
Bearing Witness in the Moment: Report from the Immigration Court Observation Project
![[ai] An illustration depicting a courtroom video hearing. A judge is shown at a desk, while a defendant appears on a screen. Text includes quotes about uncertain futures and legal limitations, with details about the court's location.](/Res/250/Imm Court in COVID by Amy Lange.jpg "Imm Court in COVID by Amy Lange.jpg")
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Report
Witness to Immigration Court: Stakeholder Report from the Immigration Court Observation Project
![[ai] A courtroom scene featuring a judge at the center behind a bench labeled 'IMMIGRATION COURT.' A clerk is pictured to the left, while a lawyer and a defendant are seated in front. An interpreter is visible on the right side.](/Res/250/court_sketch_stark_facts_1_2 3.jpeg "court_sketch_stark_facts_1_2.jpeg")
![[ai] A courtroom scene depicting an immigration court. The judge sits behind a bench with a seal, while a clerk, interpreter, defender, and lawyer are present. Notable elements include labeled areas for 'Facts', 'Bail', and 'Custody'.](/Res/250/court_sketch_stark_facts_1_2 2.jpeg "court_sketch_stark_facts_1_2.jpeg")
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Report
Direct from Immigration Court: Human Rights Defender Project Report on Court Observations
