New Board of Immigration Appeals Members Sworn in by Attorney General Mukasey

Five New Members Welcomed to Highest Administrative Tribunal for Immigration Law

FALLS CHURCH, Va. , Dec. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced that Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey administered the oath of office to five new members of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) at an investiture ceremony held today at EOIR Headquarters. EOIR Director Kevin A. Ohlson introduced the Attorney General who joined BIA Chairman Juan P. Osuna in officially welcoming the new BIA members on board. The new members, who were appointed by the Attorney General earlier this year, are: Charles K. Adkins-Blanch , Anne J. Greer , Garry D. Malphrus , Hugh G. Mullane , and Linda S. Wendtland .

The BIA is the highest administrative tribunal for interpreting and applying U.S. immigration law. The BIA's interpretations of immigration law, as set forth in its precedent decisions are binding on immigration judges and the parties in removal proceedings nationwide.

The BIA, which is part of EOIR, primarily reviews and decides appeals of immigration judge decisions. EOIR's immigration judges determine whether an alien, who is charged with violating immigration law, should be ordered removed from the United States . Currently, the BIA has 13 members, including Chairman Osuna who was recently appointed as Chairman by the Attorney General.

Biographical information for the new BIA members follows.

Charles K. Adkins-Blanch

Charles Adkins-Blanch was appointed as a member of the BIA in August 2008 . He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 from Grinnell College and a Juris doctorate in 1990 from George Washington University's National Law Center. From June 2004 to August 2008 , Mr. Adkins-Blanch served as an immigration judge at the Headquarters Immigration Court. During this time, from May 2006 to May 2007 , he served as a temporary BIA member. From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Adkins-Blanch served as general counsel for EOIR, after serving in the position in an acting capacity. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Adkins-Blanch worked for the BIA as an attorney advisor entering on duty through the Attorney General's Honor Program. From 1989 to 1990, he clerked in private practice with the firm of Maggio & Kattar specializing in immigration and nationality law. Mr. Adkins-Blanch is a member of both the Virginia and District of Columbia bars.

Anne J. Greer

Anne Greer was appointed as a member of the BIA in August 2008 . She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 from Allegheny College and a Juris doctorate in 1992 from George Mason University School of Law. From April 2003 to August 2008 , Ms. Greer served as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge. From 1992 to 2003, she worked as a senior panel attorney, supervisory attorney advisor, and attorney advisor for the BIA. From 1989 to 1992, Ms. Greer was a law clerk at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, in Washington, DC . She has been an adjunct professor of law, George Mason University School of Law, since 1996. Ms. Greer is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars.

Garry D. Malphrus

Garry Malphrus was appointed as a member of the BIA in August 2008 . He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989 and a Juris doctorate in 1993, both from the University of South Carolina. From March 2005 to August 2008 , Mr. Malphrus served as an immigration judge at the Arlington Immigration Court. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Malphrus served as associate director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. From 1997 to 2001, Mr. Malphrus worked on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which included serving as chief counsel and staff director of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice Oversight and later, with the Subcommittee on the Constitution. Mr. Malphrus has also clerked for various judges in federal and state courts. Mr. Malphrus is a member of the South Carolina Bar.

Hugh G. Mullane

Hugh Mullane was appointed as a member of the BIA in August 2008 . He received a Juris doctorate in 1993 from Georgetown University Law Center. From May 2005 to August 2008 , Mr. Mullane served as special counsel, Office of Legal Policy, Department of Justice (DOJ). From June 2004 to April 2005 , he worked as director of immigration security, Homeland Security Council, White House. From May 1995 to June 2004 , Mr. Mullane served as a senior litigation counsel, Civil Division, DOJ. From August 1994 to May 1995 , he was an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission. From September 1993 to August 1994 , Mr. Mullane was a law clerk for a judge in the U.S. District Court, Western District of New York . He is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.

Linda S. Wendtland

Linda Wendtland was appointed as a member of the BIA in August 2008 . She received a Juris doctorate in 1985 from the University of Virginia. From May 1996 to August 2008 , Ms. Wendtland served as Assistant Director and Senior Litigation Counsel at the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL), Civil Division, DOJ. From October 1990 to May 1996 , she was in private practice. From August 1985 to October 1990 , Ms. Wendtland served as a trial attorney at OIL, entering on duty through the Attorney General's Honor Program. She is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is an agency within the Department of Justice. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals interpret and adjudicate immigration cases according to United States immigration laws. EOIR's immigration judges conduct administrative court proceedings in immigration courts located throughout the nation. They determine whether foreign-born individuals --- who are charged by the Department of Homeland Security with violating immigration law --- should be ordered removed from the United States or should be granted relief from removal and be permitted to remain in this country. The Board of Immigration Appeals primarily reviews appeals of decisions by immigration judges. EOIR's Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. EOIR is committed to ensuring fairness in all of the cases it adjudicates.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice