In Absentia Rescission When Federal or State Custody Prevented Appearance
INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. This page explains the governing notice record, procedural remedy, and preservation issues.
INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent.
Core Rule
custody-rescission core rule begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission core rule applies this rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission core rule identifies the service method. custody-rescission core rule fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission core rule records the address used. custody-rescission core rule compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission core rule then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission core rule separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission core rule distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission core rule distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission core rule distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission core rule applies this additional rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission core rule should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission core rule should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission core rule should rest on primary records. custody-rescission core rule uses the charging document. custody-rescission core rule uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission core rule uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission core rule applies this practice rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission core rule requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission core rule preserves those findings for later review.
Controlling Authority
custody-rescission controlling authority begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission controlling authority applies this rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission controlling authority identifies the service method. custody-rescission controlling authority fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission controlling authority records the address used. custody-rescission controlling authority compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission controlling authority then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission controlling authority separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission controlling authority distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission controlling authority distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission controlling authority distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission controlling authority applies this additional rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission controlling authority should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission controlling authority should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission controlling authority should rest on primary records. custody-rescission controlling authority uses the charging document. custody-rescission controlling authority uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission controlling authority uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission controlling authority applies this practice rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission controlling authority requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission controlling authority preserves those findings for later review.
Procedural Trigger
custody-rescission procedural trigger begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission procedural trigger applies this rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission procedural trigger identifies the service method. custody-rescission procedural trigger fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission procedural trigger records the address used. custody-rescission procedural trigger compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission procedural trigger then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission procedural trigger separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission procedural trigger distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission procedural trigger distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission procedural trigger distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission procedural trigger applies this additional rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission procedural trigger should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission procedural trigger should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission procedural trigger should rest on primary records. custody-rescission procedural trigger uses the charging document. custody-rescission procedural trigger uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission procedural trigger uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission procedural trigger applies this practice rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission procedural trigger requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission procedural trigger preserves those findings for later review.
Notice Record
custody-rescission notice record begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission notice record applies this rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission notice record identifies the service method. custody-rescission notice record fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission notice record records the address used. custody-rescission notice record compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission notice record then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission notice record separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission notice record distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission notice record distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission notice record distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission notice record applies this additional rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission notice record should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission notice record should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission notice record should rest on primary records. custody-rescission notice record uses the charging document. custody-rescission notice record uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission notice record uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission notice record applies this practice rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission notice record requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission notice record preserves those findings for later review.
Service Evidence
custody-rescission service evidence begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission service evidence applies this rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission service evidence identifies the service method. custody-rescission service evidence fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission service evidence records the address used. custody-rescission service evidence compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission service evidence then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission service evidence separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission service evidence distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission service evidence distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission service evidence distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission service evidence applies this additional rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission service evidence should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission service evidence should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission service evidence should rest on primary records. custody-rescission service evidence uses the charging document. custody-rescission service evidence uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission service evidence uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission service evidence applies this practice rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission service evidence requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission service evidence preserves those findings for later review.
Burden and Standard
custody-rescission burden and standard begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission burden and standard applies this rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission burden and standard identifies the service method. custody-rescission burden and standard fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission burden and standard records the address used. custody-rescission burden and standard compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission burden and standard then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission burden and standard separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission burden and standard distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission burden and standard distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission burden and standard distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission burden and standard applies this additional rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission burden and standard should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission burden and standard should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission burden and standard should rest on primary records. custody-rescission burden and standard uses the charging document. custody-rescission burden and standard uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission burden and standard uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission burden and standard applies this practice rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission burden and standard requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission burden and standard preserves those findings for later review.
Timeliness
custody-rescission timeliness begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission timeliness applies this rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission timeliness identifies the service method. custody-rescission timeliness fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission timeliness records the address used. custody-rescission timeliness compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission timeliness then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission timeliness separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission timeliness distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission timeliness distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission timeliness distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission timeliness applies this additional rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission timeliness should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission timeliness should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission timeliness should rest on primary records. custody-rescission timeliness uses the charging document. custody-rescission timeliness uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission timeliness uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission timeliness applies this practice rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission timeliness requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission timeliness preserves those findings for later review.
Government Position
custody-rescission government position begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission government position applies this rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission government position identifies the service method. custody-rescission government position fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission government position records the address used. custody-rescission government position compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission government position then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission government position separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission government position distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission government position distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission government position distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission government position applies this additional rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission government position should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission government position should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission government position should rest on primary records. custody-rescission government position uses the charging document. custody-rescission government position uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission government position uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission government position applies this practice rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission government position requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission government position preserves those findings for later review.
Respondent Position
custody-rescission respondent position begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission respondent position applies this rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission respondent position identifies the service method. custody-rescission respondent position fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission respondent position records the address used. custody-rescission respondent position compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission respondent position then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission respondent position separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission respondent position distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission respondent position distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission respondent position distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission respondent position applies this additional rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission respondent position should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission respondent position should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission respondent position should rest on primary records. custody-rescission respondent position uses the charging document. custody-rescission respondent position uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission respondent position uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission respondent position applies this practice rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission respondent position requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission respondent position preserves those findings for later review.
Hearing Strategy
custody-rescission hearing strategy begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission hearing strategy applies this rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission hearing strategy identifies the service method. custody-rescission hearing strategy fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission hearing strategy records the address used. custody-rescission hearing strategy compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission hearing strategy then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission hearing strategy separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission hearing strategy distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission hearing strategy distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission hearing strategy distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission hearing strategy applies this additional rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission hearing strategy should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission hearing strategy should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission hearing strategy should rest on primary records. custody-rescission hearing strategy uses the charging document. custody-rescission hearing strategy uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission hearing strategy uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission hearing strategy applies this practice rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission hearing strategy requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission hearing strategy preserves those findings for later review.
Motion Practice
custody-rescission motion practice begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission motion practice applies this rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission motion practice identifies the service method. custody-rescission motion practice fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission motion practice records the address used. custody-rescission motion practice compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission motion practice then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission motion practice separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission motion practice distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission motion practice distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission motion practice distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission motion practice applies this additional rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission motion practice should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission motion practice should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission motion practice should rest on primary records. custody-rescission motion practice uses the charging document. custody-rescission motion practice uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission motion practice uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission motion practice applies this practice rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission motion practice requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission motion practice preserves those findings for later review.
Related NTA Issues
custody-rescission related nta issues begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission related nta issues applies this rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission related nta issues identifies the service method. custody-rescission related nta issues fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission related nta issues records the address used. custody-rescission related nta issues compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission related nta issues then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission related nta issues separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission related nta issues distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission related nta issues distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission related nta issues distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission related nta issues applies this additional rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission related nta issues should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission related nta issues should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission related nta issues should rest on primary records. custody-rescission related nta issues uses the charging document. custody-rescission related nta issues uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission related nta issues uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission related nta issues applies this practice rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission related nta issues requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission related nta issues preserves those findings for later review.
In Absentia Consequences
custody-rescission in absentia consequences begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission in absentia consequences applies this rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission in absentia consequences identifies the service method. custody-rescission in absentia consequences fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission in absentia consequences records the address used. custody-rescission in absentia consequences compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission in absentia consequences then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission in absentia consequences separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission in absentia consequences distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission in absentia consequences distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission in absentia consequences distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission in absentia consequences applies this additional rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission in absentia consequences should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission in absentia consequences should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission in absentia consequences should rest on primary records. custody-rescission in absentia consequences uses the charging document. custody-rescission in absentia consequences uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission in absentia consequences uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission in absentia consequences applies this practice rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission in absentia consequences requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission in absentia consequences preserves those findings for later review.
Appellate Preservation
custody-rescission appellate preservation begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission appellate preservation applies this rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission appellate preservation identifies the service method. custody-rescission appellate preservation fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission appellate preservation records the address used. custody-rescission appellate preservation compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission appellate preservation then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission appellate preservation separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission appellate preservation distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission appellate preservation distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission appellate preservation distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission appellate preservation applies this additional rule: INA §240(b)(5)(C)(ii) permits rescission at any time when federal or state custody prevented appearance through no fault of the person. custody-rescission appellate preservation should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission appellate preservation should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission appellate preservation should rest on primary records. custody-rescission appellate preservation uses the charging document. custody-rescission appellate preservation uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission appellate preservation uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission appellate preservation applies this practice rule: Custody is not enough if it did not actually prevent attendance or the absence was attributable to the respondent. custody-rescission appellate preservation requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission appellate preservation preserves those findings for later review.
Practitioner Checklist
custody-rescission practitioner checklist begins with the operative notice. custody-rescission practitioner checklist applies this rule: The record should explain why attendance by transport, video, or other authorized means did not occur. custody-rescission practitioner checklist identifies the service method. custody-rescission practitioner checklist fixes the hearing date. custody-rescission practitioner checklist records the address used. custody-rescission practitioner checklist compares the NTA and hearing notice. custody-rescission practitioner checklist then states the precise ruling requested.
custody-rescission practitioner checklist separates neighboring doctrines carefully. custody-rescission practitioner checklist distinguishes statutory notice from jurisdiction. custody-rescission practitioner checklist distinguishes claim processing from stop time. custody-rescission practitioner checklist distinguishes rescission from termination. custody-rescission practitioner checklist applies this additional rule: The motion should document custody dates, facility, booking records, transportation issues, and efforts to notify the Immigration Court. custody-rescission practitioner checklist should cite the controlling circuit. custody-rescission practitioner checklist should also preserve any agency objection.
custody-rescission practitioner checklist should rest on primary records. custody-rescission practitioner checklist uses the charging document. custody-rescission practitioner checklist uses every later hearing notice. custody-rescission practitioner checklist uses address-change and return-mail evidence. custody-rescission practitioner checklist applies this practice rule: The custody route is distinct from exceptional circumstances and lack-of-notice rescission. custody-rescission practitioner checklist requests findings on disputed facts. custody-rescission practitioner checklist preserves those findings for later review.
Primary Legal Authorities and Sources
- 8 U.S.C. §1229a — Removal Proceedings Current removal-proceedings statute, including in absentia rules.
- 8 C.F.R. §1003.23 — Immigration Judge Motions Current Immigration Court motion-to-reopen regulation.
- 8 C.F.R. §1003.26 — In Absentia Hearings Current in absentia hearing regulation.
- EOIR Policy Manual 3.7 — Attendance Current EOIR guidance concerning attendance and in absentia consequences.
- 8 U.S.C. §1229 — Initiation of Removal Proceedings Current INA §239 notice statute.
- Campos-Chaves v. Garland, 602 U.S. 447 (2024) Supreme Court precedent on §239(a)(2) notice and in absentia rescission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main rule for in absentia rescission federal state custody no fault?
Does in absentia rescission federal state custody no fault automatically terminate removal proceedings?
What records matter most for in absentia rescission federal state custody no fault?
How do Pereira and Niz-Chavez affect in absentia rescission federal state custody no fault?
Can a later hearing notice matter in a in absentia rescission federal state custody no fault case?
How should in absentia rescission federal state custody no fault be preserved for review?
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