What is a primary responsibility of an OPLA attorney?

The primary responsibility of an OPLA attorney is to advise government agencies on immigration laws. OPLA attorneys play a critical role in ensuring that immigration procedures and policies are correctly interpreted and applied within various government contexts. Their expertise allows them to provide legal guidance to agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, helping to navigate complex immigration issues and ensuring compliance with the law. This involves interpreting statutes, regulations, and case law to inform government actions and decisions related to immigration enforcement and adjudication.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary duties typically assigned to OPLA attorneys. Representing private clients in immigration hearings is outside the scope of their role, as OPLA attorneys serve the government rather than individual clients. Advocating for reforms in immigration policy, while important, is more aligned with policy analysts or advocacy groups rather than the legal advisory role of OPLA attorneys. Overseeing asylum application processes could involve various positions in immigration agencies but is generally not a direct responsibility of OPLA attorneys, who focus on legal advice rather than administrative functions.