BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA or Board) is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying United States immigration laws. The BIA is authorized 15 Board Members, including a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The BIA primarily reviews appeals from certain decisions rendered by immigration judges and district directors of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ensuring that the immigration laws receive fair and uniform application. The BIA decides each appeal on a case-by-case basis, affording each case the necessary time and consideration to ensure fairness. BIA decisions are binding on all immigration judges and DHS officers. Certain BIA decisions are designated for publication in the Administrative Decisions Under Immigration and Nationality Laws of the United States.

The BIA also administers the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) Legal Orientation and Pro Bono Program and supervises the Recognition and Accreditation Unit.

Biographical information on the current BIA members follows.

Biographical Information

Juan P. Osuna, Chairman

Juan P. Osuna was appointed as Chairman, BIA, in September 2008. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1985 from George Washington University, a juris doctorate in 1988 from the Washington College of Law at American University, and a master of arts degree in law and international affairs in 1989 from American University’s School of International Service. From August 2000 to September 2008, Mr. Osuna served as a Board Member, most recently serving as both Acting Chairman and Acting Vice Chairman. Mr. Osuna served in various senior editorial and management positions at West Group (now Thomson West), a leading legal publisher, where he was responsible for a number of publications on immigration and nationality law. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

David L. Neal, Vice Chairman

David L. Neal was appointed as Vice Chairman, BIA, in January 2009. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1981 from Wabash College, a master’s degree in 1984 from Harvard Divinity School, and a juris doctorate in 1989 from Columbia Law School. From March 2007 to January 2009, Mr. Neal served as Chief Immigration Judge after serving as acting Chief Immigration Judge since April 2006. From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Neal served as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge. From 2004 to 2005, he served as an immigration judge at the Headquarters Immigration Court. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Neal served as special counsel to the Director, EOIR. From 2001 to 2003, he served as chief counsel to the Senate Immigration Subcommittee. From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Neal was an attorney advisor for the BIA. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Neal practiced immigration law in Los Angeles and from 1990 to 1993 also served as the director of policy analysis for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.

Charles Adkins-Blanch

Charles Adkins-Blanch was appointed as a Board Member in August 2008. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1984 from Grinnell College and a juris doctorate in 1990 from the National Law Center, George Washington University. 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.

Patricia A. Cole

Patricia A. Cole was appointed as a Board Member in July 1995. Ms. Cole received a bachelor of science degree in 1971 from Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and a juris doctorate in 1981 from the University of Maryland. From March 1993 to July 1995, she was a senior policy analyst at the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform in Washington, DC. From May 1987 to March 1993, Ms. Cole served at the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as appellate counsel, associate general counsel for the general law section, legislative counsel, and assistant general counsel. From December 1985 to May 1987, she was a trial attorney for the INS in Houston, Texas. Ms. Cole is a member of the Maryland Bar.

Lauri S. Filppu

Lauri S. Filppu was appointed as a Board Member in July 1995. Mr. Filppu received a bachelor of arts degree in 1969 and a juris doctorate in 1973, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo. From February 1983 to July 1995, Mr. Filppu was a deputy director, Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL), Civil Division, Department of Justice (DOJ). From July 1976 to February 1983, he served as an attorney in the Criminal Division, DOJ. From March 1973 to July 1976, Mr. Filppu served as a staff attorney with the BIA. He is a member of the New York Bar.

Edward R. Grant

Edward R. Grant was appointed as a Board Member in January 1998. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1979 from Georgetown University and a juris doctorate in 1982 from Northwestern University School of Law. From February 1995 to January 1998, Mr. Grant served as counsel to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims in the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1992 to 1995, he served as a deputy associate general counsel, Refugee and Asylum Law Division, and as legislative counsel, INS. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Grant worked for the Chicago, Ill., law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson, and from 1982 to 1984 with the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath. From 1984 to 1987, he served as executive director and general counsel of Americans United for Life in Chicago. Mr. Grant is a member of the Illinois and Pennsylvania bars.

Anne J. Greer

Anne J. Greer was appointed as a Board Member 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.

Frederick D. Hess

Frederick D. Hess was appointed as a Board Member in September 2001. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1958 from Columbia College and a juris doctorate in 1967 from Brooklyn Law School. From June 1982 to September 2001, Mr. Hess served as Director, Office of Enforcement Operations, Criminal Division, DOJ. From 1979 to 1982, he served as Associate Director and Acting Director, Office of Legal Support Services. Mr. Hess began his career with DOJ as an attorney in 1967 through the Attorney General’s Honor Program. From 1967 to 1979, he served as an attorney and deputy chief, Legislation and Special Projects Section. He is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.

David B. Holmes

David B. Holmes was appointed as a Board Member in June 1995. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1970 from Middlebury College and a juris doctorate in 1973 from the National Law Center, George Washington University. From January 2003, to June 2005, Mr. Holmes served as acting Vice Chairman. From August 1977 to July 1981 he worked as an attorney advisor, and from July 1981 to June 1995, he served as the BIA's chief attorney examiner. From 1974 to 1977, Mr. Holmes served on active duty as a captain in the U.S. Army. He is a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia bars.

Garry D. Malphrus

Garry D. Malphrus was appointed as a Board Member 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.

Neil P. Miller

Neil P. Miller was appointed as a Board Member in July 1999. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1967 and a juris doctorate in 1974, both from the University of Arizona. From October 1995 to July 1999, Mr. Miller served as the chief attorney examiner for the BIA. From 1987 to 1995, he served as a deputy chief attorney examiner with the BIA. From 1980 to 1987, he worked for the BIA as an attorney advisor. Mr. Miller was in private practice in Tucson, Arizona, and worked with the Foreign Operations Section of the Passport Office, Department of State. He is a member of the Arizona State Bar.

Hugh Mullane

Hugh Mullane was appointed as a Board Member 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, 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.

Roger Pauley

Roger Pauley was appointed as a Board Member in September 2001. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1962 from Harvard College and a juris doctorate in 1964 from Harvard Law School. From January 1980 to September 2001, Mr. Pauley served as Director, Legislation, Office of Policy and Legislation, Criminal Division, DOJ. From 1975 to January 1980, he worked in the Criminal Division, DOJ, in a variety of positions. From 1973 to 1974, Mr. Pauley served on the staff of the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1966 to 1973, he served in the appellate section of the Criminal Division, DOJ. He is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.

Linda S. Wendtland

Linda S. Wendtland was appointed as a Board Member 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 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.

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