U.S. Department of Justice
Executive Office for Immigration Review

Office of the Director
5107 Leesburg Pike, Suite 2600
Falls Church, Virginia 22041

January 2008 (Revised)

BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA or the Board) is the highest administrative body for interpreting and applying immigration laws.  The Board’s principal mission is to ensure that the immigration laws receive fair and uniform application.  The Board is composed of 11 Board Members, including the Chairman and Vice Chairman.  The Board reviews case decisions of the Immigration Judges that have been appealed by one of the parties to the case. The Board is divided into panels, which review incoming cases and adjudicate the appeals as quickly as possible.  Certain decisions of the Board are designated as precedents, and are binding on the Immigration Judges and the parties in removal proceedings.

• Biographical Information

Juan P. Osuna, Chairman (Acting)

Juan P. Osuna was appointed as a Board Member in August 2000 and began serving as Acting Chairman on October 2, 2006.  Prior to this, he served as Acting Vice-Chairman from June 1, 2005, to October 2, 2006.  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 The American University, and a Master of Arts degree in law and international affairs in 1989 from The American University’s School of International Service.  Before his appointment to the Board, Mr. Osuna served at West Group from April 1990 to December 1999 as senior principal attorney editor, managing editor, associate editor, and assistant editor.  From 1997 to August 2000, Mr. Osuna also served as a consultant for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., in Washington, D.C., where he edited a number of publications.  Previously, he taught law at the Federal Judicial Center's Division of Court Education, in Washington, D.C., and at The American University, where he was an adjunct professor in the University's Washington Semester Program. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

Patricia A. Cole

Patricia 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.  She was a senior policy analyst at the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform in Washington, D.C., from March 1993 to July 1995.  Ms. Cole served at the INS as appellate counsel, associate general counsel for the general law section, legislative counsel, and assistant general counsel from May 1987 to March 1993.  She also was a trial attorney for the INS in Houston, Texas, from December 1985 to May 1987.  Ms. Cole is a member of the Maryland Bar.

Lauri S. Filppu

Lauri Steven 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.  Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Filppu was a deputy director, Office of Immigration Litigation, DOJ, from February 1983 to July 1995.  He served as an attorney in the Criminal Division, DOJ, from July 1976 to February 1983.  Mr. Filppu served as a staff attorney with the Board from March 1973 to July 1976.  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.  Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Grant served as counsel to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims in the U.S. House of Representatives from  February 1995 to January 1998.  From 1992 to 1995, he served as a deputy associate general counsel, Refugee and Asylum Law Division, and as legislative counsel, INS. Mr. Grant worked for the Chicago, Illinois, law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson from 1987 through 1990, and with the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath from 1982 to 1984.  From 1984 to 1987, he served as executive director and general counsel of  Americans United for Life in Chicago.  He is a member of the Illinois and Pennsylvania 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.  Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Hess served as Director, Office of Enforcement Operations, in the Criminal Division at DOJ from June 1982 until September 2001.  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 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.  Mr. Holmes served as Acting Vice-Chairman from January 27, 2003, to June 1, 2005.  He joined the Board as an attorney advisor in August 1977, and served as the Board's chief attorney examiner from July 1981 until his appointment as Board Member.  Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Holmes served on active duty as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1977.  He is a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia Bars.

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.  Mr. Miller served as the chief attorney examiner for the Board beginning in October 1995.   From 1987 to 1995, he served as a deputy chief attorney examiner with the Board.  He also served as a Board attorney advisor from 1980 to 1987.  Prior to that, 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.

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.  Prior to his appointment to the Board, from January 1980 to September 2001, Mr. Pauley served as Director, Legislation, Office of Policy and Legislation, in the Criminal Division at DOJ.  From 1975 to January 1980, he worked in the Criminal Division, DOJ, in a variety of positions.  Mr. Pauley served on the staff of the Judiciary Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1974.  He served in the appellate section of the Criminal Division, DOJ,  from 1966 to 1973.  He is a member of the New York and District of Columbia Bars.

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