New Chief Immigration Judge

Not that long ago, embattled Attoney General Alberto Gonzales chastised the immigration judges to improve their professionalism.  (here).  It is uncertain whether much has changed.  Now there is a change at the top.

On March 21, 2007, EOIR Director Kevin Rooney announced the appointment of David Neal as the Executive Office of Immigration Review’s Chief Immigration Judge. Judge Neal has been acting in this capacity since April 2006.

David L. Neal received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981 from Wabash College, a Masters degree in 1984 from Harvard Divinity School, and a Juris Doctorate in 1989 from Columbia Law School. Prior to his appointment as Acting Chief Immigration Judge, Mr. Neal served as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge (ACIJ) from April 2005 to April 2006. He served as an Immigration Judge at the Headquarters Immigration Court from June 2004 to April 2005. Mr. Neal served as special counsel to the Director, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), from January 2003 to June 2004. From October 2001 to January 2003, he served as chief counsel to the Senate Immigration Subcommittee. Mr. Neal was an attorney advisor for the BIA from November 1996 to October 2001. Prior to joining EOIR, Mr. Neal practiced immigration law in Los Angeles from June 1993 to October 1996 and also served as the director of policy analysis for the American Immigration Lawyers Association from August 1990 to May 1993. He is a member of the New York and District of Columbia Bars.

For the official press release, Download NEALpressrelease.pdf

KJ