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Nature of Suit Code: 895
Nature of Suit: Freedom of Information Act of 1974
Cause of Action: 

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The Attorney General 

Washington, D.C. 

January 9, 2006 

MEMORANDUM TO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS 

FROM: THE ATTORNEY GENERALLY 

I have watched with concern the reports of immigration judges who fail to treat aliens 

appearing before them with appropriate respect and consideration and who fail to produce the 

quality of work that I expect from employees of the Department of Justice. While I remain 

convinced that most immigration judges ably and professionally discharge their difficult duties, I 

believe there are some whose conduct can aptly be described as intemperate or even abusive and 

whose work must improve. 

To better assess the scope and nature of the problem, I have asked the Deputy Attorney 

General and the Associate Attorney General to develop a comprehensive review of the 

immigration courts. I have requested that the review include the quality of work as well as the 

manner in which it is performed and encompass both the Immigration Court and the Board of 

Immigration Appeals. Once this assessment is complete, I will ask for recommendations for 

improvement. We will all work together to solve this problem. 

For the aliens who appear before them, our immigration judges are the face of American 

justice. As members of the Board of Immigration Appeals, you perform a critical function on 

my behalf in reviewing decisions of immigration judges. Not all aliens will be entitled to the 

relief they seek. But I insist that each case be reviewed proficiently and that each alien be treated 

with courtesy and respect. 

Cited in American Immigration Lawyers Association v. Executive Office for Immigration Review, 15-5201. Archived on 6/6/17.

USCA Case #15-5201 Document #1678549 Filed: 07/29/2016 Page 1 of 1