34 New Immigration Judges Sworn in During October and December 2020

On October 9, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the investiture of 20 new immigration judges [link] at immigration courts across the country. On December 18, 2020, the EOIR announced the investiture of an additional 14 immigration judges. The October announcement explained that “[s]ince Jan. 20, 2017, the [Department of Justice] has increased EOIR's immigration judge corps from 306 to 520 adjudicators — an increase of nearly 70 percent.” In this post, we will consolidate the October 9 and December 18 immigration judge investiture announcements, covering all 34 new immigration judges and listing the immigration courts on which they will serve. Each of the 34 new immigration judges was appointed by now-former U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr.

We will draw the list of judges and their basic biographical information from the EOIR's articles for October 9 [link] and December 18 [link].

Abbreviations Used in this Article

Many of the new immigration judges worked in various capacities for the DHS and DOJ prior to their appointments to the immigration bench. Below, you will find a list of abbreviations that we will use in their biographies, where necessary.

• DOJ = Department of Justice
• DHS = Department of Homeland Security
• ICE = Immigration and Customs Enforcement
• CBP = U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• USCIS = U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• OCC = Office of Chief Counsel
• OPLA = Office of Principal Legal Advisor

Immigration Courts Welcoming New Judges

Below, you will find the full list of immigration courts that welcomed new immigration judges in the October 9 and December 18 announcements. We will indicate in a parenthetical the courts that received multiple new immigration judges. We will use square brackets to indicate the state each immigration court is located in.

The three immigration court locations in Manhattan — Broadway, Federal Plaza, and Varick Street, received 10 new immigration judges combined between the October and December announcements.

• Adelanto Immigration Court [CA]
• Atlanta — W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court [GA]
• Batavia Immigration Court [NY]
• Chicago Immigration Court [IL]
• Cleveland Immigration Court [OH]
• Dallas Immigration Court [TX]
• El Paso Immigration Court [TX]
• Falls Church Immigration Adjudication Center [VA]
• Fort Worth Immigration Adjudication Center [TX]
• Harlingen Immigration Court [TX]
• Houston Immigration Court [TX] (2)
• Houston — S. Gessner Road Immigration Court [TX]
• Imperial Immigration Court [CA]
• Los Angeles — Olive Immigration Court [CA]
• New York — Broadway Immigration Court [NY] (7)
• New York — Federal Plaza Immigration Court [NY]
• New York — Varick Immigration Court [NY] (2)
• Otay Mesa Immigration Court [CA] (2)
• Otero Immigration Court [NM]
• Philadelphia Immigration Court [PA]
• Port Isabel Immigration Court [TX]
• San Antonio Immigration Court [TX]
• San Francisco Immigration Court [CA] (2)
• Seattle Immigration Court [WA]

New Judge for Adelanto Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Ravit R. Halperin (December Investiture)

• 2000-2020: Private practice (2008-2020 as the founder of an immigration law firm)
• 1992: Earned J.D. from the City University of New York Law School

New Judge for the Atlanta — W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Blake L. Doughty (October Investiture)

• 2019-2020: Deputy chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS in Atlanta, Georgia
• 2015-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS in Atlanta and Lumpkin, Georgia
• 2014-2014: Local prosecutor
• 2009-2014: U.S. Army judge advocate
• 2008: Earned J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law

New Judge for the Batavia Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Robert P. Driscoll (October Investiture)

• 1998-2020: Local prosecutor in Athens, Ohio
• 1993-1998: Private practice
• 1993: Earned J.D. from Capital University Law School

New Judge for the Chicago Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Brendan Curran (October Investiture)

• 2007-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS in Chicago, Illinois
• 1999-2007: Local prosecutor in Cook County, Illinois
• 1994-1999: Served as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Navy
• 1994: Earned J.D. from DePaul University College of Law

New Judge for the Cleveland Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Donald Pashayan (December Investiture)

• 2012-2020: Assistant U.S. attorney in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force of the District of Arizona
• 2003-2012: Assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Ohio and in the Middle District of Florida
• 2002-2002: Private practice
• 1999-2002: Judge advocate in the U.S. Navy
• 1999: Earned J.D. from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
• 1994-1999: Police officer

New Judge for the Dallas Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Glen R. Hines

• 1997-Present: Judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps
• 2018-2020: Civilian legal counsel and policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Defense
• 2014-2018: Circuit military judge
• 2012-2014: Assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas
• 2005: Earned Master of Laws degree from the George Washington University School of Law
• 1994: Earned J.D. from the University of Arkansas

New Judge for the El Paso Immigration Court

Immigration Judge James J. Miller Jr.

• 1998-2020: Chief assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas, Pecos Division, in Alpine, Texas
• 1994-1998: Senior Defense Counsel, Trial Defense Service, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps
• 1990-1994: Attorney and prosecutor with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps
• Earned J.D. from Hamline University School of Law

New Judge for the Falls Church Immigration Adjudication Center

Immigration Judge Robert M. Lewandowski (December Investiture)

• 1986-2020: Judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps
• 2004-2020: Chief of staff, special assistant and senior advisor, for the U.S. Border Patrol, CBP, DHS, in the District of Columbia
• 1996-1994: Sector counsel for the Laredo, Texas Sector, U.S. Border Patrol, CBP, DHS
• 1989: Earned J.D. from the College of William and Mary

New Judge for the Fort Worth Immigration Adjudication Center

Immigration Judge Randall L. Fulke (October Investiture)

• 1990-2020: Assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas
• 1988-2018: U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps
• 1986-1990: Assistant district attorney for Lubbock and Midland Counties, in Texas
• 1984-1985: Private Practice
• 1984: Earned J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law

New Judge for the Harlingen Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Mark K. Brooks (December Investiture)

• 2019-2020: Special trial attorney, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Arlington, Virginia, on detail from USCIS
• 2017-2020: Immigration officer, Fraud Detection National Security Directorate, USCIS, DHS.
• 2012-2016: Private practice
• 2005-2012: Attorney advisor, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), DHS, in the District of Columbia
• 2001-2004: State prosecutor serving in Maryland
• 1986-2001: Private practice
• 1986: Earned J.D. from the Antioch School of Law

Two New Judges for the Houston Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Joshua D. Osbourn (October Investiture)

• 2016-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPL, ICE, DHS, in Los Angeles (Adelanto)
• 2009-2016: Local prosecutor in Arizona
• 2008: Earned J.D. from the University of Kansas, School of Law

Immigration Judge Christopher M. Schumann (October Investiture)

• 2000-2020: Attorney and military judge with the U.S. Air Force
• 2005: Earned Master of Laws from the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School
• 1999: Earned J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law

New Judge for the Houston — S. Gessner Road Immigration Court

Immigration Judge DeLana M. Jones (October Investiture)

• 2013-2020: Special assistant U.S. attorney and assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia
• 2010-2013: Law clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker, Northern District of Georgia, in Atlanta
• 2006-2010: Private practice
• 2006: Earned J.D. from Harvard Law School

New Judge for the Imperial Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Jeffrey V. Muñoz (December Investiture)

• 1995-2020: Active duty in the Marine Corps; including as a criminal defense attorney, prosecutor, general counsel, and military trial judge
• 2003: Earned J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law

New Judge for the Los Angeles — Olive Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Wilbur Lee (October Investiture)

• 1998-2020: Judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps; including service as a military judge
• 2010: Earned Master of Laws from the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School
• 1997: Earned J.D. from the Southwestern University School of Law

Seven New Immigration Judges for the Broadway — New York Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Erin L. Alexander (December Investiture)

• 2004-present: U.S. Navy in various active duty and reserve capacities, including as a judge advocate
• 2014-2020: Assistant district attorney in the New York County District Attorney's Office (Manhattan)
• 2012-2014: Private Practice
• 2010: Earned J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center

Immigration Judge John P. Burns (December Investiture)

• 2016-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in New York
• 2013-present: Officer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the New York Army National Guard
• 2010-2016: Attorney at the Social Security Administration
• 2009: Earned J.D. from Fordham University School of Law

Immigration Judge Edward P. Grogan (October Investiture)

• 2000-2020: Assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York
• 1994-2020: U.S. army judge advocate general officer
• 1993: Private practice
• 1992: Earned J.D. from Albany Law School
• 1984-1988: Army infantry officer

Immigration Judge Dawn M. Kulick (December Investiture)

• 2016-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Miami and Philadelphia
• 2014-2016: Judicial law clerk for U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrea M. Simonton, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
• Before 2014: Assistant state attorney in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office; Private practice
• 2003: Earned J.D. from New York Law School
• 1993-2001: Worked in corporate world, including for a publishing house

Immigration Judge Shirley Lazare-Raphael (December Investiture)

• 2019-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in New York
• 2001-2019: Private practice
• 2000: Earned J.D. from Brooklyn Law School

Immigration Judge Tanawa Lebreton (October Investiture)

• 2006-2020: Private practice in various positions; including 2017-2020 stint as practice group director with Inland Counties Legal Services, and 2008-2009 stint as staff attorney with Catholic Legal Services
• 2006: Earned J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law

Immigration Judge James R. McKee (October Investiture)

• 2018-2020: Chief, Foreign Law Branch, Department of Defense, in Germany and Florida
• 2016-2018: Served with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, DOJ
• 2012: Earned Master of Laws from the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School
• 1994-2016: U.S. Army judge advocate in multiple positions
• 1989-2013: Enlisted infantry soldier in the New York Army National Guard
• 1991-1993: Clerk for the 60th Judicial District Court of Common Please, in Pike County, Pennsylvania
• 1991: Earned J.D. from the Syracuse University School of Law

New Judge for the New York — Federal Plaza Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Maria T. Ubarri (December Investiture)

• 2010-2020: State trial court judge in Puerto Rico
• 1995-2010: Private practice
• 1994-1995: Policy advisor to the Governor of Puerto Rico
• 1993: Legislative assistant for the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, U.S. House of Representatives
• 1991: Earned J.D. from the University of Puerto Rico Law School

Two New Judges for the New York — Varick Street Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Richard H. Drucker (December Investiture)

• 1981-2020: Private practice in Cleveland, Ohio
• 1981: Earned J.D. from Cleveland State University

Immigration Judge Thomas J. Mungoven (October Investiture)

• 2004-2020: Private practice; including 2004-2008 stint as staff attorney at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark Immigrant and Refugee Services Division
• 2004: Earned J.D. from Saint John's University School of Law

Two New Judges for the Otay Mesa Immigration Court

Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Colleen M. Glaser-Allen (October Investiture)

• 2018-2020: Chief trial judge of the Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary
• 2016-2018: Served at the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, including from 2017-2018 as chief appellate judge
• 1995-2020: Active duty judge advocate in the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps
• 2007: Earned Master of Laws from the George Washington University Law School
• 1995: Earned J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law at Urbana-Champaign

Immigration Judge Samantha L. Begovich (December Investiture)

• 1996-2020: Deputy district attorney for the Office of the District Attorney, San Diego, California
• 1994-1996: Trial attorney for the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, Department of Justice
• 1994: Special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
• 1994: Earned J.D. from Stanford Law School

New Judge for the Otero Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Ralph E. Girvin Jr. (October Investiture)

• 2018-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS in El Paso, Texas
• 2016-2018: Assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas
• 2000-2016: Assistant attorney and chief of the Civil and Criminal Divisions, for the County of El Paso, Texas
• 1996-1999: Assistant district attorney for the 34th Judicial District of Texas
• 1995: Earned J.D. from St. Mary's University School of Law
• 1986-1992: Served in the U.S. Army Reserve and Texas Army National Guard

New Judge for the Philadelphia Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Patrick J. Ehlers (October Investiture)

• 2015-2020: Assistant U.S. attorney in Portland, Oregon; also resident legal advisor for the DOJ's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development
• 1998-2015: Assistant federal public defender in Portland, Oregon and previously in various locations in Oklahoma
• 1996-1998: Public defender in Oklahoma
• 1995-1996: Judicial assistant to judge for the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
• 1993-1995: Post-conviction defense counsel for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System
• 1993: Earned J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law

New Judge for the Port Isabel Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Jefferson B. Brown (October Investiture)

• 1994-2020: Chief circuit trial judge, deputy circuit trial judge, appellate judge, trial judge, staff judge advocate, deputy staff judge advocate, appellate defense counsel, trial defense counsel, and prosecutor for the U.S. Air Force; retired with rank of colonel
• 1993: Earned J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School

New Judge for the San Antonio Immigration Court

Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Charles P. Koutras (October Investiture)

• 1997-present: Judge advocate for the U.S. Navy in active and reserve capacities
• 2006-2020: Attorney for U.S. Army South at Fort Sam Houston, Texas
• 2002-2004: Assistant city attorney for San Antonio, Texas
• 1997: Earned J.D. from St. Mary's University

Two New Immigration Judges for the San Francisco Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Samuel Y. Kim (December Investiture)

• 2018-2020: Private practice in San Francisco, California
• 2014-2018: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in San Francisco, California
• 2013-2014: Private practice in San Francisco, California
• 2011-2013: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Los Angeles, California
• 2006-2011: Active duty as a judge advocate for the Marine Corps Forces Reserve
• 2004-2005: Private practice
• 2004: Earned J.D. from Washington University in Saint Louis School of Law

Immigration Judge Jason R. Masterson (December Investiture)

• 2011-2020: Active duty judge advocate in the U.S. Navy
• 2011-2013: Prosecutor and special assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
• 2010: Earned J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law
• 2009-2010: Cincinnati Prosecutor's office
• 2008-2009: Fellow with the Ohio Innocence Project
• 2004-2007: Substance abuse and mental illness case manager for non-profit

New Judge for the Seattle Immigration Court

Immigration Judge Hayden Windrow

• 2020: Trial attorney, District Court Section, Office of Immigration Litigation, DOJ
• 2015-2020: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in New York
• 2005-2015: Judicial law clerk at multiple Article III Courts
• 2005: Earned J.D. from New York University School of Law

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Judge Enjoins New Rules on USCIS Fees and Fee Waivers

On September 29, 2020, Judge Jeffrey S. White of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California entered a preliminary injunction against the new USCIS rules on fees and fee waivers, preventing them from taking effect on October 2, 2020. Judge White cited to several reasons for granting the injunction, including claims that several acting officials at DHS and USCIS were not appointed in accordance with the law, failure to comply with the Administrative Procedures Act, and a general failure on the part of the Government to fully explore the implication of the changes.

The effect of the order is that the new fees and limitations on fee waivers will not take effect on October 2, as had been planned. The litigation will surely continue, and we will update the site with any information about changes to the fees.

We covered the new fee rule [see article] and fee waiver rules [see article] in separate articles. See the following links for the prior fee schedule [link] and fee waiver rules [see blog], which will now remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

President Trump Nominates Chad Wolf to be Secretary of Homeland Security

On August 25, 2020, President Donald Trump announced that he will nominate Chad Wold to be the Secretary of Homeland Security [link]. Chad Wolf has been serving as acting Secretary of Homeland Security since November 13, 2019, when he was appointed [see blog] to succeed former acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan [see blog]. There has not been a Senate-confirmed Secretary of Homeland Security since the resignation of former Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen [see blog] on April 10, 2019.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Three New Appellate Immigration Judges Appointed to BIA (Aug. 11, 2020)

On August 7, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the appointment of three appellate immigration judges to the Board of Immigration Appeals [PDF version]. Each of the three new appellate immigration judges was appointed by Attorney General William P. Barr. The appointments are significant in that the BIA is the highest administrative review body [link] for interpreting and applying the immigration laws. In this post, we will examine the resumes of the three new members of the BIA.

Michael P. Baird, Appellate Immigration Judge

• 2009-2020: Immigration judge on the Dallas Immigration Court (Texas) and later the Atlanta Immigration Court (Georgia).
• 2006-2009: Senior assistant district attorney in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, in Georgia.
• 2004-2006: Judge in the Municipal Court of Jonesboro, Georgia.
• 1997-2004: Chief Judge for the Magistrate Court of Clayton County, Georgia.
• 1995-96; 92-93: Private Practice.
• 1993-1995: Senior assistant solicitor general at the Clayton County Solicitor's Office.
• 1986-1990: Police officer.
• Obtained Juris Doctorate in 1992 from Georgia State University College of Law.

Sunita B. Mahtabfar, Appellate Immigration Judge

• 2013-2020: Immigration Judge on the El Paso Immigration Court (Texas).
• 2006-2013: Attorney in the Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, in El Paso, Texas.
• 2003-2006: Asylum officer in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security.
• Obtained Juris Doctorate from Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

Sirce E. Owen, Appellate Immigration Judge

• 2019-2020: Acting deputy Director of EOIR.
• 2018-2020: Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, based in Atlanta.
• 2016-2018: Deputy chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Atlanta.
• 2008-2016: Assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Atlanta.
• 2005-2008: Private practice.
• Obtained Juris Doctor in 2005 from Georgia State University.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Second Circuit Enjoins New Public Charge Rule for NY, CT, and VT

On August 4, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed two district court decisions blocking implementation of the new public charge rule [see blog]. The injunctions, which were originally nationwide in scope, had been stayed by the Supreme Court of the United States a few months ago [see blog]. In affirming the injunctions, the Second Circuit limited their scope to only the three states under the court's jurisdiction — New York, Connecticut, and Vermont.

For the time being, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will apply the former 1999 public charge rule [see article] to New York, Connecticut, and Vermont [PDF version]. The Government will likely seek to stay the Second Circuit injunction in the meantime, pending full adjudication of the issues. We will update the website with more information as it becomes available.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Exceptions for F1/M1 Online Only Course of Study in Fall 2020

On July 24, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published new guidance [link] for active F and M students and SEVP-certified schools for the fall 2020 semester. After having announced that F, J, and M students would not be able to maintain nonimmigrant status with online-only classes in fall 2020, SEVIS has reversed that position. For the fall 2020 semester, SEVIS advises nonimmigrant students and SEVIS-certified colleges to abide by March 2020 guidance [link], which allowed certain students to maintain status while being engaged in distance learning only due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Below, we will summarize the guidance.

Guidance for Continuing F and M Students

Certain students who already have F or M nonimmigrant status will continue to be temporarily permitted to count classes conducted entirely online toward a full course of study in excess of the limits on online-only credit hours set forth in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) and 8 CFR 214.2(m)(9)(v). This exception applies only to those F1 and M1 students who were in valid F1 or M1 status on March 9, 2020, “including those previously enrolled in entirely online classes who are outside of the United States and seeking to re-enter the country this fall.”

Guidance for New Initial F and M Students

F and M students in new or initial F or M status after March 9, 2020, will not be permitted to enter the United States to enroll in a U.S. school in F or M status to pursue a course of study that is entirely online.

Conclusion

After some confusion in policy, students who were already in F1 or M1 status as of March 9, 2020, will generally be permitted to maintain status in fall 2020 through an entirely online course of study. New F and M students, however, will not be subject to the same exception allowing for online-only classes. Current and prospective F and M students with questions about the current policy situation for online classes should stay abreast of government updates and consult regularly with their designated school officials and, if necessary, with an experienced immigration attorney.

We discuss student visas generally in our growing category on the subject [see category].

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Canadian Court Invalidates U.S.-Canada Safe Third Country Agreement

 

On July 23, 2020, the American Immigration Council's blog, Immigration Impact, reported [link] that the Federal Court of Canada has ruled that notwithstanding the Safe Third Country agreement between the United States and Canada, the United States is no longer a country to which Canada may return asylum seekers. The agreement, which has been in place since 2002, generally requires asylum seekers who arrive in the United States or Canada to seek asylum in whichever country they arrive in. It is designed to prohibit asylum-seekers from passing through the United States to Canada or through Canada to the United States to seek asylum.

The Federal Court of Canada delayed implementation of the decision for six months — until January 22, 2021 — to give the Canadian Parliament the opportunity to consider the ramifications of the ruling and respond with legislation. At this time, it unclear when and how Canada may implement the decision or how dissolving the United States-Canada Safe Third Country agreement may affect U.S. asylum policy. We will update site with more pertinent information about the issue if and when it becomes available.

You may learn more about U.S. asylum law in our growing section on the subject [see section].

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Government Rescinds Policy Against Maintaing F1 Status With Only Online Classes

On July 14, 2020, the Trump Administration withdrew its policy announcement that it would not allow college students taking fully online course-loads to remain in the United States in F1 status during the fall. We discussed that prior policy guidance in an earlier blog post. The withdrawal came in the face of lawsuits from many U.S. universities. Thus, for the time being, it appears that the exceptions made for online classes and student visas from the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will remain in effect. However, it is unclear whether the Government may seek to alter the directive through different means before most college classes resume.

F-1, M-1, and J-1 students who may be affected by the fluid situation should stay in touch with their designated school officials for guidance on their school's plans and how those plans may be affected by government policy. Students with case-specific questions about their status should consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

You may learn about student visas generally in our growing section on site.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

Six Immigration Courts to Resume Some Non-Detained Hearings

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced that the following six immigration courts will resume non-detained individual (merits) hearings and master calendar dockets involving small numbers of respondents on June 29, 2020 [PDF version]:

• Boston Immigration Court
• Buffalo Immigration Court
• Dallas Immigration Court
• Hartford Immigration Court
• Las Vegas Immigration Court
• New Orleans Immigration Court

Face coverings will be required for persons visiting these immigration courts, except for children under two years of age or individuals with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing face coverings. Individuals experiencing possible symptoms of the coronavirus (COVID-19), diagnosed with having the virus, or who has been exposed within the last 14 days will not be permitted to enter EOIR space. Respondents who may be affected should call their attorney or representative as soon as possible.

The option to file by mail at the six immigration courts listed in this notice and at the Batavia Immigration Court, LaSalle Immigration Court, and Oakdale Immigration Court will end on August 26, 2020.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

USCIS Announces Possible Service Cuts Due to Budgetary Concerns

   

 

On June 25, 2020, the Deputy Director for Policy for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Joseph Edlow, issued a statement about severe budget problems at the USCIS [PDF version].

USCIS is funded by fees rather than by direct appropriations. During the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, USCIS has seen a steady decline in the number of applications. As a result, “[f]orecasts predict a crippling budget shortfall that requires assistance from Congress to allow USCIS to maintain current operations.” Edlow stated that the USCIS “has seen a 50% drop in receipts and incoming fees starting in March and estimates that application and petition receipts will stay well below plan through the end of Fiscal Year 2020.”

On May 15, USCIS notified Congress about its budget shortfall and requested $1.2 billion in emergency funding. The USCIS proposed that it would repay the funds by adding a 10% surcharge to its filing fees.

Thus far, Congress has not moved on giving USCIS the emergency funds. Edlow stated that “[w]ithout congressional action before August 3, USCIS will need to furlough over 13,000 staff members…”

It is unclear whether Congress will approve USCIS's emergency funding request, and if so, what conditions might be attached to the funds. USCIS's position is that without the funds, it will begin implementing extreme cost-control measures, including furloughs. That would potentially lead to cuts in USCIS services and delays in processing forms.

While the fate of USCIS's funding is out of applicants' hands, individuals who need guidance on specific issues involving the USCIS should consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

New EOIR Administrative Law Judge Carol A. Bell

 

On June 26, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the appointment of a new administrative law judge [PDF version].

Attorney General William P. Barr appointed Carol A. Bell as the administrative law judge in the EOIR's Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer. She took her position on June 22.

Judge Bell spent the last 12 years serving as an assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois. From 2002 to 2008, she served as a trial attorney with the Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Antitrust Division. From 2000 to 2002, Judge Bell served as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court in Houston.

Judge Bell obtained a Juris Doctorate from Harvard University in 2000.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

USCIS to Eliminate 30-day Timeframe for Processing Asylum EADs

 

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is publishing a new final rule in the Federal Register to do away with its self-imposed 30-day timeframe for processing applications for employment authorization by asylum applicants [PDF version]. The new rule will also allow asylum applicants to file renewal employment authorization applications up to 180 days before their employment authorization is set to expire. Under current rules, applicants had to ensure that USCIS received renewal applications 90 days prior to the expiration of employment authorization.

The final rule is slated to be published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2020 [PDF version]. It will take effect 60 days after the actual publication date. We will publish more information about the new asylum employment authorization processing rules after the final rule is published.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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Supreme Court Blocks DACA Rescission For Now

 

On June 18, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States published its decision in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of Univ. of Cal., No. 18-587 (U.S. Jun. 18, 2020) [PDF version].

In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court concluded that the Department of Homeland Security could not rescind the DACA program without complying with the Administrative Procedures Act (APA). In this case, the majority held that the DHS's decision to rescind DACA was arbitrary and capricious under the APA, and therefore invalid.

Opinions

The opinion of the court was written by Chief Justice John Roberts, and joined in full by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Elena Kagan. Justice Sonia Sotomayor joined in all respects except for that she would have not foreclosed the argument brought by the respondents that rescinding DACA violated the Fifth Amendment's Due Process clause. The other eight Justices agreed in foreclosing the Due Process claims.

There were three separate dissenting opinions. Justice Clarence Thomas authored the main dissenting opinion, joined by Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch. Those three Justices would have held that the Trump Administration had the authority to rescind DACA without following the APA and that DACA itself was unlawful from the time of its inception. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, dissenting alone, would have held that the Trump Administration had the authority to rescind DACA based on his disagreement with the majority's treatment of the APA question, without reaching the issue of DACA's underlying legality.

What Does the Decision Mean?

The decision does not ensure that DACA will remain in place indefinitely. Instead, it requires the DHS to rescind it in accordance with the APA. Because this may be a lengthy process, DACA is likely to remain in place for the immediately foreseeable future, and potentially longer depending on the outcome of the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. President Donald Trump suggested in the aftermath of the decision that the Administration would begin the process of rescinding DACA in accordance with the Supreme Court's decision.

While there is no guarantee that DACA will ultimately be rescinded, there is also no guarantee that Congress will create a comprehensive path to permanent resident status for DACA beneficiaries. DACA recipients should, where possible under the immigration laws, pursue a more enduring immigration status. DACA recipients with case-specific questions about maintaining DACA or paths to lawful nonimmigrant or immigrant status should consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

You can see our DACA rescission article for a list of developments on the issue [see article].

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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Attorney General Barr to Review Persecutor Barr Questions

 

On June 17, 2020, Attorney General William P. Barr directed the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to refer one of its decisions to him for review, published as Matter of A-M-R-C-, 28 I&N Dec. 7 (A.G. 2020) [PDF version].

The Attorney General's referral deals with an asylum claim. To that effect, he asked interested lawyers and legal organizations to submit amici briefs on a variety of issues relating to the case. First, however, he began with a threshold question. That is, would any delay caused by the referral impermissibly prejudice the respondent by denying him the ability to prove his defenses, in accord with the Supreme Court decision in Costello v. United States, 365 U.S. 265, 283 (1961) [PDF version].

The Attorney General then asked for briefs on several questions regarding the case itself. First, he asked whether the Board erred as a matter of discretion in finding that there was not probable cause that the respondent had committed a “serious nonpolitical crime” overseas, as set forth in INA 208(b)(2)(A)(iii). Specifically, the Attorney General is seeking opinions on whether the Board erred in finding that the respondent's in absentia conviction was for an offense not “disproportionate to the objective” or “of an atrocious or barbarous character.”

The Attorney General asked amici to address whether the Board erred in determining that the respondent was not subject to the persecutor bar to asylum eligibility at 8 CFR 1208.13(c)(2)(i)(E).

Finally, the Attorney General asked whether the Board applied the correct legal standard in concluding that the respondent's in absentia trial, which resulted in the convictions that raised questions about his eligibility for asylum, suffered from due process problems even though the U.S. Department of State had found that the trial satisfied due process.

The parties have until July 17, 2020, to file their briefs. Interested amici have until July 31, 2020. The parties may then submit reply briefs on or before July 31, 2020.

Without more information, it is hard to determine the particulars of the Attorney General's review. However, from the broad questions, it is clear that the review may result in a significant new precedent in cases involving a foreign conviction as evidence suggesting that an alien may be subject to a mandatory asylum bar.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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F1 and M1 Students Cannot Maintain Status With Fully Online Course Loads

 

(Update — July 8, 2020) Acting DHS Deputy Director Ken Cuccinelli suggested in an interview that F1 students will generally be able to maintain status in hybrid programs so long as their classes are not entirely online. Harvard and MIT have filed a lawsuit against the policy arguing that the Government violated the Administrative Procedures Act in its implementation. We will update the site with more information as it becomes available.)

On July 6, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced modifications to temporary exemptions it carved out for F1 and M1 students taking online courses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic [PDF version].

SEVP will not allow F1 and M1 students to take a full online course load this fall and remain in the United States. For its part, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will not issue F1 or M1 visas to students enrolled in schools and/or programs that are fully online for the fall semester, nor will U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allow such students to enter the United States.

Students who are currently in the United States on lawful F1 or M1 status at schools that are only offering online courses will have two options. These F1 or M1 students must either transfer to a school offering in-person instruction or depart the United States. An F1 or M1 student taking a fully online course load will be subject to immigration consequences, including the initiation of removal proceedings for failure to maintain status.

F1 students who are attending schools operating under normal in-person class conditions are bound by existing regulations regarding online courses. F1 students may take a maximum of one class, or three credit hours, online.

F1 students attending schools adopting a hybrid model of some online and some in-person classes will be permitted to take more than one class or three credit hours online. Schools running hybrid programs must certify to SEVP through the student's Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, that the program is not entirely online, that the student is not taking an entirely online course load for the semester, and that the student is taking at least the minimum number of classes required to make progress in his or her degree program. The ICE news release does not specify what proportion of in-person versus online courses will be acceptable in hybrid programs . The exceptions in this paragraph do not apply to F1 students in English language training programs or M1 students pursuing vocational degrees, neither of which are permitted to enroll in online courses.

SEVP states that its new rules will be published in the Federal Register in the near future. We will update the website with more information as it becomes available. Students who are unsure of their school's plans should consult with their DSO for more information. Students who may need to transfer programs to maintain student status or otherwise have questions about maintaining status should consult with their DSO and, if necessary, with an experienced immigration attorney.

You may learn more about student visas in our full section on site [see category].

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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MPP Hearings May Resume on July 20

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a joint statement on rescheduling hearings under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) [PDF version]. We discussed the MPP in detail in a full article on site [see article].

The DOJ and DHS are working to resume MPP hearings as soon as possible. However, in light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and its spread in Mexico, the DOJ and DHS have agreed to postpone both MPP hearings and in-person document service through, and including, July 17, 2020.

The DOJ and DHS anticipate resuming MPP hearings on July 20, 2020. However, whether MPP hearings can resume at that time will depend on public health and safety indicators. In the meantime, the DOJ and DHS are working on ensuring compliance with applicable Centers for Disease Control (CDC) social distancing guidelines. They are also working on procuring equipment and resources that will be necessary to ensure the safety of MPP hearings.

The DOJ and DHS will reevaluate the timing for resuming MPP hearings on a weekly basis.

We will update the website with more information when it becomes available.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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Public Charge and the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Public Charge and the Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the United States' economy, causing hardship for citizens and noncitizens alike. Many noncitizens who are hoping to someday become lawful permanent residents have expressed uncertainty about whether accepting certain benefits may trigger public charge issues under the new public charge rules [see article]. In this article, we will briefly examine the effect of accepting unemployment benefits or testing, screening, or treatment of illness caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) on public charge determinations.

Unemployment Benefits Are Not Considered in Public Charge Determinations

Unemployment benefits are considered “unremunerated public benefits.” The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not consider the receipt of unemployment benefits in making public charge determinations. National Public Radio expressly asked the USCIS about the receipt of unemployment benefits during the pandemic, and the USCIS responded that unemployment is an “earned benefit” that is not considered in the public charge analysis. USCIS lists benefits that are exempt from public charge determinations at 8 USCIS PM G.10(B)(1) [PDF version].

While unemployment benefits do not implicate public charge per se, it is possible that prolonged periods of unemployment could raise ancillary public charge concerns. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of Immigration Impact, however, noted that the USCIS has indicated that it would take into account whether an applicant's financial circumstances and periods of unemployment were caused by the coronavirus outbreak [link]. We discuss this further later in the post.

In short, accepting unemployment benefits does not render an alien a public charge. It is possible that prolonged periods of unemployment, however, potentially may raise public charge concerns. A prospective permanent resident applicant with questions about his or her individual prospects for lawful permanent resident status should consult with an experienced immigration attorney for a case-specific assessment.

Testing, Screening, or Treatment of Communicable Diseases Does Not Render an Alien Public Charge

The USCIS notes on its public charge page that “[t]he Public Charge rule does not restrict access to testing, screening, or treatment of communicable diseases, including COVID-19.” (Emphasis added.) The USCIS Public Charge page notes that “USCIS considers the receipt of public benefits as only one consideration among a number of factors and considerations in the totality of the alien's circumstances over a period of time with no single factor being outcome determinative” [PDF version].

The USCIS notes that some aliens who are affected by the coronavirus may be hesitant to seek treatment or preventative services in light of public charge concerns. In response to these concerns, the USCIS stated that it “will neither consider testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a public charge inadmissibility determination, nor as related to the public benefit condition applicable to certain nonimmigrants seeking an extension of stay or change of status, even if such treatment is provided or paid for by one or more public benefits, as defined in the rule (e.g., federally funded Medicaid).

However, notwithstanding the USCIS's special provisions for testing and treatment related to the coronavirus, the public charge rule requires the USCIS to consider the receipt of certain cash and non-cash public benefits in public charge determinations. To this effect, the USCIS notes that most forms of federally funded Medicaid for aliens over the age of 21 are considered in public charge determinations. Medicaid for emergency medical conditions or for pregnant recipients is generally excluded. CHIP, State, local, or tribal public benefit health care services and assistance that are not funded by federal Medicaid, however, do not weigh against a positive public charge determination.

See our next section for information on how receipt of certain public benefits can be mitigated by evidence showing that the alien was adversely affected by the coronavirus.

Coronavirus is a Mitigating Factor for Receiving Public Benefits

The USCIS provided guidance for aliens subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility who are affected by the coronavirus. Specifically, “if an alien subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility lives and works in a jurisdiction where disease prevention methods such as social distancing or quarantine are in place, or where the alien's employer, school, or university voluntarily shuts down operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the alien may submit a statement with his or her application for adjustment of status to explain how such methods and policies have affected the alien as relevant to the factors USCIS must consider in a public charge inadmissibility determination.” As an example, the USCIS suggested that it may consider evidence that the alien had to take public benefits to get by after having been prevented from working or attending school as relevant in determining whether the alien is inadmissible on public charge grounds.

Conclusion

In general, receipt of unemployment benefits or of treatment for illness stemming from the coronavirus does not, by itself, implicate public charge directly. Furthermore, the USCIS has signaled a willingness to consider whether an alien's receipt of certain public benefits is attributable to the coronavirus outbreak in making public charge determinations.

With all that being said, an alien with specific questions or concerns about his or her status as a potential public charge should consult with an experienced immigration attorney for case-specific guidance. If an alien needs to accept any benefits or if he or she has circumstances stemming from the coronavirus which may raise public charge concerns, he or she should keep records and receipts in order to document the circumstances if they become relevant in the context of an application.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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Exemption for Certain Athletes from Coronavirus Entry Restrictions

 

On May 22, 2020, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, created a special exemption for certain professional athletes and other personnel from several Presidential Proclamations restricting entry due to the threat of the novel coronavirus [PDF version]. President Donald Trump restricted entry of individuals who were present in the People's Republic of China [see article], Iran, and the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, and Ireland [see article] during the 14 days immediately preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. Among the myriad exceptions from the restrictions in each order is a special provision providing that the order does not apply “for any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their designees.”

Secretary Wolf determined that it is in the national interest to exempt “aliens who compete in professional sporting events organized by certain professional sporting groups, including their professional staff, team and league leadership, spouses, and dependents.” Although the memorandum does not limit its scope, Secretary Wolf expressly noted that he will work with professional sporting groups including the MLB, NBA, PGA Tour, NHL, ATP, and WTA. He noted that the order does not exempt individuals who may benefit from inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or any other agency requirements. Furthermore, he added that he may narrow the scope of the exemption if he deems it necessary.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) advises professional athletes, essential staff, team and league leadership, spouses, and dependents who believe that they may qualify for an exemption to ask their athletic league representative to contact the DHS for more information [PDF version].

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New Edition of Form I-129CW

 

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing the new edition of its Form I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Worker, on June 18, 2020 [PDF version]. The new Form I-129CW is part of revisions to the CW1 nonimmigrant category in the interim final rule implementing the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018. We discussed the revisions in a separate post [see blog].

Starting on June 18, the USCIS will only accept the 06/18/20 edition of the Form I-129CW. This means that the USCIS will reject any older edition of the Form I-129CW postmarked on or after June 18, 2020.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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Four New Assistant Chief Immigration Judges (May 2020)

 

On May 22, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the appointment of four new assistant chief immigration judges [PDF version]. Assistant chief immigration judges have the responsibility of overseeing the overall operations of the immigration courts to which they are assigned. Assistant chief immigration judges also hear cases. None of the four new assistant chief immigration judges have prior experience on the immigration bench. Below, we will examine the biographies of the new assistant chief immigration judges.

Karen E. Mayberry, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, Arlington Immigration Court

• 1990-2020: Judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force in many locations; Judge and Chief Judge of the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
• 1987-1989: Assistant appellate defender in Topeka, Kansas.
• 1986-1987: Private practice.
• 1986: Juris Doctor from Kansas University School of Law.

Alfredia Owens, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, Atlanta — W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court

• 2007-2020: Chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Atlanta, for Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
• 2006-2007: Deputy chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS.
• 2002-2005: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS.
• 1996-2001: Assistant district attorney for the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.
• 1994: Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law.

Khalilah M. Taylor, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, New York — Broadway Immigration Court

• 2016-2020: Assistant chief counsel and deputy chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in New York.
• 2014-2016: Associate counsel with the Refugee and Asylum Law Division, Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS, in Rosedale, New York.
• 2002-2014: Assistant district counsel/assistant chief counsel, senior attorney, and deputy chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in New York.
• 2001-2002: Judicial law clerk at the Newark Immigration Court, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice.
• 2001: Juris Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

William E. Hanrahan, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, San Francisco Immigration Court

• 2018-2020: Chief judge of the Fifth Judicial District of Wisconsin.
• 2016-2018: Wisconsin deputy chief judge.
• 2007-2016: Wisconsin circuit court judge.
• 1998-2007: Assistant attorney general for the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
• 1988-1998: Assistant district attorney in Milwaukee County.
• 1988: Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

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David H. Wetmore Appointed Chairman of the BIA

On May 29, 2020, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the appointment of David H. Wetmore as the chairman of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) [PDF version]. Below, we will examine Chairman Wetmore's resume with reference to the EOIR news release on his appointment.

David H. Wetmore, Chairman, Board of Immigration Appeals

• May 2020: Appointed Chief Appellate Immigration Judge of the Board aof Immigration Appeals by U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
• 2019-2020: Associate Deputy Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General (ODAG).
• 2018-2019: Senior counsel to the Deputy Attorney General in ODAG.
• 2009-2018: Trial Attorney in the Civil Division, Office of Immigration Litigation's (OIL) Appellate Section, DOJ.
• 2017-2018: Immigration Advisor to the White House Domestic Policy Counsel.
• 2006-2007: Law clerk to Judge Daniel A. Manion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
• 2002-2003: Law clerk to Judge Gordon J. Quist of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
• 2006, 2008-2009, 2010-2011: Adjunct law professor at The George Washington University Law School.
• 2003-2006, 2007-2009: Private practice.
• 2002: Juris Doctor, with High Honors, from The George Washington University Law School.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com