What is the Electronic Case Access System (ECAS)?

In February 2022, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the federal agency responsible for immigration court oversight, officially mandated the use of the Electronic Case Access System (ECAS). ECAS is an online portal intended to streamline and centralize immigration court procedures, such as document filing for respondents.  

ECAS comprises four separate portals distinguished by their audience and usage: (1) for attorneys, (2) for government officials, (3) for individuals, and (4) for fee collection.

1. ECAS Case Portal: A mandatory filing service for licensed attorneys and authorized representatives.
2. ECAS Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Portal: Used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for service of process.
3. Respondent Access Portal: Intended for Pro Se respondents, or individuals who are representing themselves in court. 
4. ECAS Payment Portal: Fee collection service for motions and appeals.

Recently, ECAS has experienced a backlog of removal proceedings with over 3.3 million pending cases registered on the site. Other sources estimate the number to be much higher, at around 3.4 to 3.5 million pending cases. As a result, the Department of Justice has appointed 42 new judges in combination with the introduction of video teleconferencing—both will work to offset the casework within ECAS.

How Can Self-Represented Individuals Use ECAS?

Pro Se respondents are defined as individuals who represent themselves in court, choosing not to be represented by an attorney. Pro Se respondents can represent themselves in various areas of law, including immigration, civil, and criminal. Through ECAS, a Pro Se respondent may utilize the Respondent Access Portal, with the condition that they are considered a foreigner and have an active case. Users are permitted to view and download the virtual records of their proceedings, visit their hearing schedule, and file documents virtually with their immigration court. Form EOIR-33 is the only form for Pro Se respondents available for virtual submission. Any other forms must be sent via non-ECAS means or by traditional paper. Likewise, if the Department of Homeland Security must complete necessary documentation online, a case may be opened virtually for both represented and non-represented individuals. If the respondent is Pro Se, they must still be served by the DHS through paper for governmental correspondence.

The optional virtual sign-up process for Pro Se respondents functions independently from that of licensed attorneys and authorized court representatives. To upload an EOIR-33 form, the respondent must follow the steps below: 

1. After online registration, the respondent must appear before a court 90 days from registration to confirm their identity. Passports, United States driver’s license, work authorization, and other approved identification documents are accepted. 
2. The Respondent Access Portal is then activated, and the respondent may sign up with a Department of Justice (DOJ) issued Login ID.
3. If a respondent fails to verify their identity, they must re-register and begin the process once more.

Perspectives on ECAS: What Makes it Work?

Many argue ECAS is an accessible platform because it caters to Pro Se respondents, who make up two-thirds of all active cases. About 33 percent of all non-minor respondents in active immigration court cases had legal representation to assist their case. This leaves the Pro Se population at about 67 percent, the majority. In contrast, 51 percent of unaccompanied minors receive some form of representation. However, this also indicates that 49 percent are also Pro Se. 

Additionally, ECAS allows for respondents located temporarily outside of the United States to still have access to the portal. For example, if a respondent were to be in a different time zone, the portal would still be available 24/7 for document upload. If there is a stringent deadline for a particular date, most deadlines are placed at 12:00 AM. Respondents are better able to accommodate busy schedules – jobs, commutes, travel – without attending in-person court. 

Critiques of ECAS & Pro Se Services

On the contrary, others have pointed out that the Pro Se portal for ECAS has a limited scope for document upload. Since the EOIR-33 is the only available form to submit virtually, it limits the amount of  “self-representation” a Pro Se respondent can do remotely. ECAS doesn’t include submission options for other crucial documents, such as answers to complaints, notice of appearance, and or motions to dismiss. The Pro Se respondent must then resort to traveling in person to the immigration courts to provide other necessary documents for their case. 

Moreover, many cite that ECAS has been inefficient at phasing out paper-based cases to electronic ones. In 2023, ECAS still had around 800,000 paper-based cases left to transition, which is considered sizable since the initiative started in 2018. Cases for Pro Se respondents are also not entirely “digital” as most of the processes must still be done on paper-based means. Thus, as of 2026, ECAS has not been fully digitized for non-attorney users in accordance with the EOIR’s goals.

The Future of ECAS Under President Trump

The 2022 ECAS mandate displays a growing attention to immigration and the optimization of removal processes. In March 2025, current President Donald J. Trump discussed invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Act permits the government to forcefully remove foreign males (14+) during wartime, and was last used during World War II. 

Shortly after, in July 2025, Congress approved the H.R.1 megabill, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” H.R. 1 altered fees for hundreds of immigration court procedures, such as asylum petitions and challenging court decisions. For a case to be reopened, a respondent must pay a new fee of $900, in addition to the old H.R. 1 fee. The new fee to challenge a wrongful decision or update a case will cost up to 1,010 dollars. ECAS marks a step toward more accessible, convenient methods for handling the rise in immigration cases in the U.S. However, with any new system, ECAS also presents challenges, such as limited document uploads and a slow transition to a fully digital system. Amid a changing political landscape, ECAS offers a path to redefine the legal system, particularly for Pro Se respondents. 

Frequently Asked Questions