Institute Trains US Immigration Judges, Board of Immigration Appeals Attorneys on Religious Liberty Issues 

by Martin Barillas Saturday, August 08, 2009
Washington, D.C., August 6, 2009 - As a part of the annual legal training conference of the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), the Institute on Religion and Public Policy this week trained United States immigration judges and Board of Immigration Appeals staff attorneys on international religious liberty issues.

Institute Founder and President Joseph K. Grieboski moderated and spoke on six asylum country conditions panels, focusing on the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Mr. Grieboski also addressed a session on International Religious Freedom Policy along with Mark Hetfield, Senior Vice President for Policy and Programs at the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and Elizabeth K. Cassidy, Associate Director for Policy and Research at the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

EOIR is responsible for adjudicating immigration cases. Specifically, under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR interprets and administers federal immigration laws by conducting immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings. EOIR consists of three components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of immigration judge decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. EOIR is committed to providing fair, expeditious, and uniform application of the nation's immigration laws in all cases.



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About Institute on Religion and Public Policy


The Institute on Religion and Public Policy is an international, inter-religious non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring freedom of religion as the foundation for security, stability, and democracy.

The Institute works globally with government policymakers, religious leaders, business executives, academics, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and others in order to develop, protect, and promote fundamental rights - especially the right of religious freedom - and contributes to the intellectual and moral foundation of the fundamental right of religious freedom. Nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Institute encourages and assists in the effective and cooperative advancement of religious freedom.
1    submitted by Martin Barillas
Comments
The Board of Immigration Appeals has a history of abusing its discretion. In fact, Federal circuit courts have found the BIA abused its discretion on numerous occasions including, but not limited to: Medrano (5th Cir.) Zhao v. Reno (2nd Cir.) Masih v. Mukasey (5th Cir. 7/16/08) Galvez-Vergara, 5th Circuit Jara-Navarrete v. INS, 800 F.2d 1530 (9th Cir.1986) Chookhae v. INS, 756 F.2d 1350 (9th Cir.1985) Alvarez-Madrigal , 9th Cir. 746 F.2d 1484 Kalilu v. Mukasey, 9th Cir. 2007 (February 14, 2008) Cortes-Castillo v. I.N.S. 997 F.2d 1199 (7th Cir.1993) Mattis v. INS (9th Cir. 1985) Movsisian v. Ashcroft, Slip Op. No. 03-70298 (9th Cir. Jan. 20, 2005) Yun Ying Liu v. Gonzales, (2nd Cir. September, 2006 Salazar v. Mukasey (6th Cir. January, 31, 2008). I could go on, but I think my point is clear.

Training BIA attorneys in international religious liberty issues is a step in the right direction. Now if someone could just train them in due process, maybe introduce them to the 5th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, even better.

Lea Reiter
Los Angeles, CA
@leareiter


by leareiter | Friday, August 21, 2009  5:24:10 PM  |  Report
 
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