WASHINGTON – Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey has announced the appointment of David L. Neal as Vice Chairman of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), effective January 5, 2009.
Neal was appointed as Chief Immigration Judge in March 2007 after serving as acting Chief Immigration Judge. 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. Prior to his serving in various capacities within the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Neal practiced immigration law in Los Angeles and also served as the director of policy analysis for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. In addition, Neal is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.
Immigration Judge Thomas Snow, from the Arlington Immigration Court, will serve as acting Chief Immigration Judge, effective January 5, 2009, and will remain in this position until a new Chief Immigration Judge is appointed. Snow was appointed as an immigration judge in October 2005.
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