Starting in January 2025, official communication with EOIR and AILA Chapters/local immigration advocates has significantly decreased. This paired with the dismantling of many institutional safeguards and changes in personnel have made our jobs as advocates even more difficult. Seeking accountability requires creativity. In June 2025, the American Bar Association Commission on Immigration (COI) officially launched their Court Observation and Awareness Project. This initiative offers attorneys, law students, and members of the public a chance to witness firsthand the challenges noncitizens face in court and to contribute meaningfully through structured, neutral observation. Volunteers observe Master Calendar Hearings and Bond Hearings in immigration court and complete a short form documenting what they see. Opportunities are available in immigration courts nationwide. As of August 8, over 790 court observations from 35 different courts have been submitted. COI uplifts local organizations already doing court watch so that, where possible, volunteers work with their advocating neighbors. This session will overview the project, share the Report Card with trends, highlight issues, and explain how to get involved!

• Understand how hateful rhetoric, policies, and laws are having long-lasting and immediate impact on our friends and neighbors in the noncitizen community.
• Articulate some of the trends happening in violation of due process and human dignity in immigration courts across the country.