MPI | Events | Event Announcement

MPI Home

Research Programs

National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy

US Immigration

European Migration

Migration & Development

Refugee Protection

Resources

MPI Data Hub

Migration Information Source
Online Journal

News & Events
Register for Updates

Your Interests
Update Your Profile

Media Tools

US Congressional Resources

Event Announcement	Events > Event Announcement

MPI Briefing on How Procedural Reforms Have Affected the Bureau of Immigration Appeals

Event Announcement
Panelist Bios
Event Summary

A new study commissioned by the American Bar Association concludes that significant Department of Justice procedural changes to the Board of Immigration Appeals in 2002 have had profound negative consequences. The study, conducted pro bono by the law firm Dorsey and Whitney LLP, asserts that in an attempt to clear immigration backlogs, the quality and transparency of BIA decisions have been compromised. Based on the study, an ABA Commission follow-up report suggests immediate reform.

The study shows that effects of the procedural reforms include: insufficient time granted for board members to consider the arguments of each immigration case or the merit of an appeal, a drop in appeals granted from one in four cases to one in ten; and a tripling of the rate at which BIA decisions are appealed at the federal level-from 5 percent in 2001 to 15 percent in 2002.

Legal experts from Dorsey and Whitney LLP and the ABA will discuss the study's findings as well as policy recommendations, which include discarding the 2002 changes.

WHO: Paul Klaas, Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP
Kathy Moccio, Attorney, Dorsey and Whitney LLP
Carol Wolchok, Staff Director, American Bar Association (ABA)
Moderator: Alex Aleinikoff, Associate Dean for Research and Professor, Georgetown University Law Center and Senior Associate at MPI

WHAT: Briefing on ABA Study of the Board of Immigration Appeals 2002 'Procedural Reforms to Improve Case Management'

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 2003 8:30-10:00 a.m.

WHERE: 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300

RSVP: Acceptances only to Ana Claros at (202) 266-1940 or aclaros@migrationpolicy.org.