[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 8, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 8CFR3.27]

[Page 34]
 
                     TITLE 8--ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
 
CHAPTER I--IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
 
PART 3--EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart C--Immigration Court--Rules of Procedure
 
Sec. 3.27  Public access to hearings.

    All hearings, other than exclusion hearings, shall be open to the 
public except that:
    (a) Depending upon physical facilities, the Immigration Judge may 
place reasonable limitations upon the number in attendance at any one 
time with priority being given to the press over the general public;
    (b) For the purpose of protecting witnesses, parties, or the public 
interest, the Immigration Judge may limit attendance or hold a closed 
hearing.
    (c) In any proceeding before an Immigration Judge concerning an 
abused alien spouse, the hearing and the Record of Proceeding shall be 
closed to the public unless the abused spouse agrees that the hearing 
and the Record of Proceeding shall be open to the public. In any 
proceeding before an Immigration Judge concerning an abused alien child, 
the hearing and the Record of Proceeding shall be closed to the public.
    (d) Proceedings before an Immigration Judge shall be closed to the 
public if information subject to a protective order under Sec. 3.46, 
which has been filed under seal pursuant to Sec. 3.31(d), may be 
considered.

[52 FR 2936, Jan. 29, 1987. Redesignated and amended at 57 FR 11571, 
11572, Apr. 6, 1992; 62 FR 10334, Mar. 6, 1997; 67 FR 36802, May 28, 
2002]