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.”
Georgia immigration court-watching program launched in 2024
The nonprofit launched the program in 2024 so attorneys and advocates in the South can understand if there are trends when it comes to judges’ decisions about immigrants asking to be bonded out from detention.
Alizeh Sheikh started the program; she’s the Equal Justice Works Fellow for GAIN. She said nationwide, court watch programs have seen limited access to the virtual hearings since November 2025, but GAIN volunteers weren’t barred until after she submitted an affidavit to Judge Clay Land in the Middle District Court of Georgia.
