Here are the “official bios” of the 23 newest U.S. Immigration Judges appointed by A.G. Merrick Garland:
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1567516/download
Here’s the”scorecard”from Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Policy Director, American Immgration Council;
Going off of most recent jobs/backgrounds, we’ve got:
6 ICE trial attorneys
5 nonprofit immigration attorneys
4 private bar immigration attorneys
2 state gov counsels/ALJs
2 federal prosecutors
2 JAG/military hearing officer
1 FBI general counsel
1 OIL attorney
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Here some names that “stand out” for me personally:
Judge Jennie L. Kneedler (Sterling Immigration Court) appeared in pro bono cases in Arlington when with Steptoe. She also worked for CAIR and ABA Immigration Commission. Her father, Ed Kneedler, is Deputy SG, handles immigration among other areas. He holds the record for OAs before the Supremes for active lawyers. See, .https://immigrationcourtside.com/2017/01/18/usg-bid-to-max-criminal-deportation-law-may-be-on-the-rocks-before-the-supremes/.
Judge Sarah B. Yeomans (Sterling Immigration Court) practiced before me in Arlington.
Judge Alysha M. Welsh (Annandale Immigration Court) worked for Round Tabler Judge (Ret.) Bill Joyce and most recently Human Rights First.
Judge Vimala S. Mangoli (Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center) is long-time Catholic Charities attorney.
Judge Jason E. Braun (Annandale Immigration Court) is most recently from Restoration Immigration Legal Aid of Arlington.
Per Round Table’s Hon.”Sir Jeffrey” Chase:
Judge Abby Anna Batko-Taylor, was appointed to the Falls Church Adjudication Center. Abby Anna while with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid won an unpublished, 39-page, unanimous panel decision [on asylum] in the 5th Circuit (attached) that she unsuccessfully moved that court to publish. The Round Table filed an amicus brief in support of the publication request.
CA5 No. 18-60251 Morales Lopez v. Garland OPINION
While Garland has not made the long overdue systemic and leadership changes necessary to institutionalize due process, fundamental fairness, expert scholarship, and best practices at EOIR, positive change from below can still take place and will improve the quality of justice, one courtroom at a time! See, https://immigrationcourtside.com/2023/01/12/🇺🇸⚖️👨🏽⚖️👩🏽⚖️🗽-i-want-you-to-be-a-u-s-immigration-judge/. Seeing the “ball go in the basket” 🏀 on the “court of justice” ⚖️ inspires others in the NDPA to keep fighting for human rights, fair treatment of asylum seekers, and due process at the retail level of justice!
Full bios of the new Immigration Judges are available at the above link. Congratulations to all!
🇺🇸 Due Process Forever!
PWS
02-13-23