Competency Burden and Evidentiary Development Under Matter of J-S-S-
Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. This page explains current Immigration Court procedure and preservation.
Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency.
Core Rule
J-S-S competency proof core rule begins with this rule: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should attach the relevant record. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should state the requested ruling. A J-S-S competency proof motion should preserve a timely objection.
J-S-S competency proof core rule also reflects this point: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should explain the practical prejudice. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should separate procedure from merits. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should address the opposing position.
J-S-S competency proof core rule remains subject to this principle: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should request an express finding. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should update the court if facts change. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should confirm the ruling on the record.
Authority
J-S-S competency proof authority begins with this rule: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should state the requested ruling. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should preserve a timely objection. A J-S-S competency proof motion should explain the practical prejudice.
J-S-S competency proof authority also reflects this point: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should separate procedure from merits. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should address the opposing position. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should request an express finding.
J-S-S competency proof authority remains subject to this principle: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should update the court if facts change. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should confirm the ruling on the record. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should make a focused proffer.
Trigger
J-S-S competency proof trigger begins with this rule: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should preserve a timely objection. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should explain the practical prejudice. A J-S-S competency proof motion should separate procedure from merits.
J-S-S competency proof trigger also reflects this point: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should address the opposing position. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should request an express finding. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should update the court if facts change.
J-S-S competency proof trigger remains subject to this principle: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should confirm the ruling on the record. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should make a focused proffer. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should protect later appellate review.
Record
J-S-S competency proof record begins with this rule: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should explain the practical prejudice. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should separate procedure from merits. A J-S-S competency proof motion should address the opposing position.
J-S-S competency proof record also reflects this point: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should request an express finding. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should update the court if facts change. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should confirm the ruling on the record.
J-S-S competency proof record remains subject to this principle: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should make a focused proffer. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should protect later appellate review. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should calendar the next obligation.
Evidence
J-S-S competency proof evidence begins with this rule: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should separate procedure from merits. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should address the opposing position. A J-S-S competency proof motion should request an express finding.
J-S-S competency proof evidence also reflects this point: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should update the court if facts change. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should confirm the ruling on the record. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should make a focused proffer.
J-S-S competency proof evidence remains subject to this principle: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should protect later appellate review. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should calendar the next obligation. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should identify the hearing posture.
Hearing Procedure
J-S-S competency proof hearing procedure begins with this rule: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should address the opposing position. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should request an express finding. A J-S-S competency proof motion should update the court if facts change.
J-S-S competency proof hearing procedure also reflects this point: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should confirm the ruling on the record. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should make a focused proffer. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should protect later appellate review.
J-S-S competency proof hearing procedure remains subject to this principle: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should calendar the next obligation. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should identify the hearing posture. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should cite the controlling source.
Judge Findings
J-S-S competency proof judge findings begins with this rule: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should request an express finding. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should update the court if facts change. A J-S-S competency proof motion should confirm the ruling on the record.
J-S-S competency proof judge findings also reflects this point: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should make a focused proffer. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should protect later appellate review. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should calendar the next obligation.
J-S-S competency proof judge findings remains subject to this principle: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should identify the hearing posture. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should cite the controlling source. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should describe the triggering fact.
Respondent Position
J-S-S competency proof respondent position begins with this rule: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should update the court if facts change. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should confirm the ruling on the record. A J-S-S competency proof motion should make a focused proffer.
J-S-S competency proof respondent position also reflects this point: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should protect later appellate review. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should calendar the next obligation. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should identify the hearing posture.
J-S-S competency proof respondent position remains subject to this principle: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should cite the controlling source. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should describe the triggering fact. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should attach the relevant record.
DHS Position
J-S-S competency proof dhs position begins with this rule: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should confirm the ruling on the record. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should make a focused proffer. A J-S-S competency proof motion should protect later appellate review.
J-S-S competency proof dhs position also reflects this point: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should calendar the next obligation. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should identify the hearing posture. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should cite the controlling source.
J-S-S competency proof dhs position remains subject to this principle: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should describe the triggering fact. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should attach the relevant record. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should state the requested ruling.
Counsel Strategy
J-S-S competency proof counsel strategy begins with this rule: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should make a focused proffer. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should protect later appellate review. A J-S-S competency proof motion should calendar the next obligation.
J-S-S competency proof counsel strategy also reflects this point: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should identify the hearing posture. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should cite the controlling source. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should describe the triggering fact.
J-S-S competency proof counsel strategy remains subject to this principle: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should attach the relevant record. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should state the requested ruling. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should preserve a timely objection.
Timing
J-S-S competency proof timing begins with this rule: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should protect later appellate review. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should calendar the next obligation. A J-S-S competency proof motion should identify the hearing posture.
J-S-S competency proof timing also reflects this point: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should cite the controlling source. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should describe the triggering fact. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should attach the relevant record.
J-S-S competency proof timing remains subject to this principle: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should state the requested ruling. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should preserve a timely objection. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should explain the practical prejudice.
Conditions
J-S-S competency proof conditions begins with this rule: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should calendar the next obligation. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should identify the hearing posture. A J-S-S competency proof motion should cite the controlling source.
J-S-S competency proof conditions also reflects this point: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should describe the triggering fact. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should attach the relevant record. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should state the requested ruling.
J-S-S competency proof conditions remains subject to this principle: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should preserve a timely objection. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should explain the practical prejudice. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should separate procedure from merits.
Merits Interaction
J-S-S competency proof merits interaction begins with this rule: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should identify the hearing posture. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should cite the controlling source. A J-S-S competency proof motion should describe the triggering fact.
J-S-S competency proof merits interaction also reflects this point: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should attach the relevant record. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should state the requested ruling. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should preserve a timely objection.
J-S-S competency proof merits interaction remains subject to this principle: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should explain the practical prejudice. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should separate procedure from merits. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should address the opposing position.
Appeal Preservation
J-S-S competency proof appeal preservation begins with this rule: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should cite the controlling source. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should describe the triggering fact. A J-S-S competency proof motion should attach the relevant record.
J-S-S competency proof appeal preservation also reflects this point: Matter of J-S-S- rejects placing a formal burden on either party to prove competency or incompetency in the ordinary adversarial sense. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should state the requested ruling. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should preserve a timely objection. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should explain the practical prejudice.
J-S-S competency proof appeal preservation remains subject to this principle: The parties can submit medical records, evaluations, testimony, detention records, and other evidence bearing on functional competency. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should separate procedure from merits. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should address the opposing position. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should request an express finding.
Checklist
J-S-S competency proof checklist begins with this rule: The Immigration Judge should state the competency determination and the evidentiary basis for it. For J-S-S competency proof, counsel should describe the triggering fact. The J-S-S competency proof presentation should attach the relevant record. A J-S-S competency proof motion should state the requested ruling.
J-S-S competency proof checklist also reflects this point: When competency is in question, the Immigration Judge has responsibility to develop a record adequate to resolve the issue. In J-S-S competency proof, the record should preserve a timely objection. During J-S-S competency proof, counsel should explain the practical prejudice. The judge addressing J-S-S competency proof should separate procedure from merits.
J-S-S competency proof checklist remains subject to this principle: A competency finding should rest on the entire record rather than on a single diagnosis or isolated courtroom exchange. After J-S-S competency proof, counsel should address the opposing position. Any dispute about J-S-S competency proof should request an express finding. Appellate preservation for J-S-S competency proof should update the court if facts change.
Primary Legal Authorities and Sources
- Matter of M-A-M-, 25 I&N Dec. 474 (BIA 2011) Foundational competency framework.
- Matter of J-S-S-, 26 I&N Dec. 679 (BIA 2015) Competency proof and record-development precedent.
- Matter of M-J-K-, 26 I&N Dec. 773 (BIA 2016) Competency safeguards precedent.
- Matter of E-S-I-, 26 I&N Dec. 136 (BIA 2013) Competency-related service precedent.
- 8 U.S.C. §1229a Current hearing-rights statute.
- 8 C.F.R. §1240.10 Current hearing regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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