On Nov. 30, 2020, James McHenry, Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, issued a Policy Memorandum 21-05, which fundamentally altered immigration court practice, eliminating master calendar hearings in almost all non-detained cases where the respondent is represented. This practice pointer provides tips and strategies for practitioners to navigate immigration court procedure under PM 21-05.

On April 2, 2021, EOIR cancelled PM 21-05 and replaced it with a revised Case Flow Processing Policy Memorandum, PM 21-18, which applies to cases initiated on or after April 2, 2021. This practice pointer has not been updated to incorporate the changes made by PM 21-18.