New Board of Immigration Appeals Members Sworn in by Attorney General Mukasey
Source PRNOTW
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
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
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
Hugh G. Mullane
Hugh Mullane was appointed as a member of the BIA in August 2008 . He received a Juris doctorate in 1993 from
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
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