Attachment

Attachment (7)

IMMIGRATION COURT OPERATING GUIDELINES

FOR CONTRACT INTERPRETERS

Please read the following instructions before arrival at the Immigration Court. Your adherence to these guidelines is required when working for the Immigration Court.

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

Please be sure to have your Certification of Interpretation (COI) filled out. This means that the date, city, state, scheduled time, alien number, Judge's name and language should be on your form. Please contact [Contractor] for this information. Failure to have the proper information on your COI results in unnecessary delays!

UPON ARRIVAL

Do inform court personnel that you are a contract interpreter.

Do sign in at the window/front desk and have your COI date stamped.

Do inform court personnel if you do not have a COI.

Do inform court personnel whether or not this is the first time you have interpreted before the Immigration Court.

Do ask court personnel where you should wait if your hearing is not ready to begin.

Do ask court personnel where you can hang your coat, umbrella, etc.

Do ask court personnel what the appropriate door is to the courtroom. Pay special attention to doors reserved for Judges and court personnel only!

Do acknowledge when your name is called.

Do be patient. Occasionally, hearings are delayed and do not start on time.

Do not speak to aliens or attorneys awaiting hearings! The people in the waiting room could be the parties in your assigned hearing(s). Conversations could result in your immediate disqualification from your present assignment and future assignments. Report to court personnel and the Judge any type of solicitation from attorneys (both private and Immigration Service attorneys) promptly.

Do not enter the court’s administrative area or Judge's chambers without being escorted by court personnel.

Do not use phones, typewriters, Xerox machines, etc., while in the court office area, without permission from the Court Administrator or other designated personnel.

Do not enter the courtroom until instructed by court personnel.

Do not ask court personnel for future interpreting assignments. Distribution of assignments is only done by [Contractor].

Do not solicit employment during your court assignment; handing out business cards, resumes, etc., is strictly prohibited and is grounds for disqualification.

PRIOR TO LEAVING

Please be sure that the court has excused you for the day. The Judge may be breaking for lunch and expects you back. Failure to return could result in your disqualification.

Finally, be sure that the Judge has signed your COI!

ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE PROCEDURES CAN BE ADDRESSED BY

COURT PERSONNEL.

CALL ___________ FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING CONTRACTOR OPERATING

PROCEDURES.

Receipt Acknowledged:

(PRINT NAME) (SIGNATURE) (DATE)