The Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN) trained volunteers in its Court Watch program how to watch virtual immigration bond hearings to collect various data points, like the immigrant’s country of origin, factors of their case, whether or not they are granted bond and how much.
Now, the GAIN said volunteers have been barred from the virtual hearings. It happened at the end of February, after the organization shared information with a federal court about a sudden increase in negative outcomes for immigrants at the Stewart Immigration Court in Lumpkin, Georgia.
“It’s important to note that these hearings are open to the public by law,” said Adriana Heffley, the legal director of asylum and human rights at GAIN. “We’ve received feedback from attorneys and advocates that the transparency is welcome.”
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