--- title: "Immigration: OPLA releases New Memo on Prosecutorial Discretion" description: prosecutorial discretion, ICE, Immigration --- [ info@pollakimmigration.com](mailto:info@pollakimmigration.com)[ 954-250-8335](tel:954-250-8335) [BOOK YOUR MEETING ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/contact-us/) # Immigration: OPLA releases New Memo on Prosecutorial Discretion Posted by [ Michael Pollak ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/author/michael-pollak) November 17, 2011 ![ICE; Department of Homeland Security](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/dhs-resized-600-Jan-03-2025-12-27-35-7184-PM.jpg)Today, November 17, 2011,  the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) released a new memorandum relating to Prosecutorial Discretion and Immigration Enforcement.  *See* [docs/OPLA memo.pdf](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hs-fs/file-2814704302-pdf/docs/opla-memo.pdf).  The purpose of the memorandum is to ensure that that Immigration Courts follow the civil enforcement priorities laid out in the June 17, 2011 Morton memorandum. OPLA announces in this memorandum that it will conduct a review of incoming and pending cases on the immigration court docket in each Office of Chief Counsel (OCC).  These cases fall into three categories.  1) Cases in which Notices to Appear have not been filed; 2) all cases on the Master Docket  and 3) all cases set for merit hearings up to seven months from the date of the memorandum.  This review is estimated to take 2 months.  This November 17th memorandum calls for each Office of Chief Counsel to establish a standard operating procedure to review the above categories of cases.  The Memorandum states that it does not replace the Morton memorandum, “which remains the cornerstone for assessing whether prosecutorial discretion is appropriate any circumstance".  ICE has also released two companion memoranda relating to the next steps in implementing prosecutorial discretion and guidance for ICE attorneys in determining prosecutorial discretion. *See  [/Ice companion memo.pdf](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hs-fs/file-2814704312-pdf/docs/ice-companion-memo.pdf) and [docs/next steps for implementing prosecutorial discretion.pdf](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hs-fs/file-2814704322-pdf/docs/next-steps-for-implementing-prosecutorial-discretion.pdf)* Tags: - [Immigration Policy](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/topic/immigration-policy) [ Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/78689/immigration-opla-releases-new-memo-on-prosecutorial-discretion) [Share on Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/78689/immigration-opla-releases-new-memo-on-prosecutorial-discretion&text=Immigration:%20OPLA%20releases%20New%20Memo%20on%20Prosecutorial%20Discretion) [ Share on Linkedin ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/78689/immigration-opla-releases-new-memo-on-prosecutorial-discretion&title=Immigration:%20OPLA%20releases%20New%20Memo%20on%20Prosecutorial%20Discretion) ## Related Posts ![Defining & Demonstrating Extraordinary Abilities](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Immigration%204-2.jpg) February 3, 2022 ### Defining & Demonstrating Extraordinary Abilities For those seeking an employment-based immigration visa, you may have the ability to receive a designation of first preference (EB-1). These visas are specifically for noncitizens w... [ Read More ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/defining-demonstrating-extraordinary-abilities) ![USCIS Issues New Policy Memo on Adjustment of Status: What EB-5 Investors Need to Know Now](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hubfs/eb5-visa-ai.jpeg) May 26, 2026 ### USCIS Issues New Policy Memo on Adjustment of Status: What EB-5 Investors Need to Know Now Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 | Issued May 21, 2026 | Announced May 22, 2026 | Effective Immediately On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, declaring that Adj... [ Read More ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/uscis-issues-new-policy-memo-on-adjustment-of-status-what-eb-5-investors-need-to-know-now) ![Where Does Immigration Fit into the Congressional To Do List](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/pollak-immigration-lawyer.webp) September 12, 2010 ### Where Does Immigration Fit into the Congressional To Do List Here is an interesting article by Mary Giovagnoli that appeared in the Immigration Impact. [ Read More ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/51392/where-does-immigration-fit-into-the-congressional-to-do-list) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Michael Pollak", "url" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/author/michael-pollak" }, "dateModified" : "2025-01-03T12:28:48.149Z", "datePublished" : "2011-11-17T06:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Immigration: OPLA releases New Memo on Prosecutorial Discretion", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/78689/immigration-opla-releases-new-memo-on-prosecutorial-discretion", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "//www.pollakimmigration.com/hubfs/Pollack-2017/Image/Pollack-orange-logo.png" }, "name" : "Pollak PLLC" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "LegalService", "department" : [ { "@type" : "LegalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Addison", "addressRegion" : "TX", "postalCode" : "75001", "streetAddress" : "5057 Keller Springs Rd, Suite 300" }, "email" : "info@pollakimmigration.com", "hasMap" : "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pollak+PLLC/@32.958844,-96.8230226,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x864e993b29f864ef:0x4b23f3951a7aaedd!8m2!3d32.958844!4d-96.8230226!16s%2Fg%2F11c7_xxcf1?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D", "name" : "Pollak PLLC - Addison Office", "telephone" : "+1-214-307-5510", "url" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/areas-we-serve/dallas" }, { "@type" : "LegalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Fort Lauderdale", "addressRegion" : "FL", "postalCode" : "33304", "streetAddress" : "2598 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite #2104" }, "email" : "info@pollakimmigration.com", "hasMap" : "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pollak+PLLC/@26.1373128,-80.1111488,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88d9015e5c8534cb:0x87dca60227fd9933!8m2!3d26.1373128!4d-80.1111488!16s%2Fg%2F11y7d84z5g?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D", "name" : "Pollak PLLC - Fort Lauderdale Office", "telephone" : "+1-214-307-5510", "url" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/areas-we-serve/fort-lauderdale" } ], "description" : "Pollak PLLC is a trusted immigration law firm with over 100 five-star reviews, serving business owners, executives, investors, and professionals seeking employment- and investment-based immigration solutions. 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