Evidence can contain another person's address, phone number, medical information, immigration information, identity documents, account details, or facts that could put the person at risk. Preserve the original, protect access to it, and flag the privacy issue before deciding what version should be filed.
Keep an untouched original
Do not permanently edit your only copy. Store the original securely and make a working copy for review. Record where the evidence came from and what part is relevant to your case.
Identify the sensitive material
Create a short note describing:
- whose information appears in the evidence;
- what type of sensitive information it contains;
- why the document may be relevant;
- whether the person gave you the document or permission to use it;
- any safety concern; and
- the deadline, if the evidence may need to be filed soon.
Do not publish sensitive evidence online or send it through unnecessary channels merely to organize the case.
Do not assume you should redact it yourself
Redaction can sometimes protect irrelevant private information, but removing information can also affect context, authenticity, or compliance with filing requirements. Ask your attorney or accredited representative what should be filed and whether a redacted version, protective request, or another approach is appropriate.
Keep a record linking any working redacted copy to the untouched original so the versions cannot be confused.
Share securely with counsel
Use the secure method your representative requests. Avoid public links with unrestricted access. If you are transferring a large file, our guide on securely transferring evidence to an attorney can help with organization.
Court filings are different from private attorney review
A document kept privately for attorney review is not automatically a document that should be filed. Immigration-court submissions must comply with EOIR's filing rules and any instructions from the Immigration Judge.
Official procedural source
This page provides organizational information, not legal advice. Privacy, confidentiality, and filing questions can be fact-specific, so discuss sensitive evidence with qualified counsel.