After the report was completed in November 2019, Maggard was demoted and reassigned to be an immigration judge in Sacramento. Learn how to tackle challenges like finding and retaining affordable staff, working better in a hybrid or remote environment, when and how to raise fees, and much more. Click here to login, 2023, Portfolio Media, Inc. | About | Contact Us | Legal Jobs | Advertise with Law360 | Careers at Law360 | Terms | Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Help | Site Map, Enter your details below and select your area(s) of interest to stay ahead of the curve and receive Law360's daily newsletters, Email (NOTE: Free email domains not supported). Please see our Privacy Policy. Case documents are sent to and from Grants home, multiple sources familiar with the situation told The Chronicle. The Trump administration did little to change the pattern, The Chronicle found, and in one case even promoted a judge who many women have said made them feel uncomfortable in open court and behind the scenes for years. Additional details for this referral are as follows: * Old Tracking Number: DOJ-2018-007915 * New Tracking Number: DOJ-2018-007915 * Requester Name: Matthew Hoppock * Date Submitted: 08/29/2018 * Long Description: foia referral EOIR. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed. EOIR operates within a variety of settings across the country, most commonly in federal or leased buildings controlled by the General Services Administration and detention facilities operated by the Department of Homeland Security. Official websites use .gov But, she said, he was in front of him., Atlanta immigration attorney Carolina Antonini says one judges inappropriate comments about women are so cumulative that it becomes like background noise., The Justice Department and McHenry declined to comment on McHenrys relationship to Cassidy or his role in promoting him. JugePrint was appointed as a DCIJ in November 2015. 1331 G Street NW, Suite 300 Immediately before a May 2019 hearing in which the woman would testify in detail about her trauma, the attorneys said, Judge Paul McCloskey gave instructions on how the hearing should proceed. Please see our Privacy Policy. And if someone says, No, no, you have to identify it, and you cannot, they say, Well, it doesnt exist., Atlanta immigration attorney Hiba Ghalib says of a judges comments: There was never anything so direct that it was anything I could file a complaint on it was just uncomfortable and annoying., Hiba Ghalib, an attorney who practices in Atlanta, said of Cassidys behavior: There was never anything so direct that it was anything I could file a complaint on it was just uncomfortable and annoying. Jeff Sessions, U.S. attorney general from 2017 to 2018, addresses incoming immigration judges in Falls Church, Va., in September 2018. Remember that the immigration court may limit entry. In the interim, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Print Maggard will serve as the Acting Chief Immigration Judge. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan. Print Maggard was appointed as an ACIJ in January 2012. A joint initiative between the American Immigration Council and AILA seeks to change the playing field for immigrants facing deportation. Truslow, who said it was her first hearing on the job, was furious. Judge Daugherty is a member of the Ohio Bar. Together, the documents show mild consequences for subjects of repeated complaints, including Cassidy. Learn more. The sources declined to talk on the record because of the sensitivity of the subject matter. With this administration, the attitude is, if you do something horrible in terms of misconduct, youre going to get promoted to the Board of Immigration Appeals because of the people they put up there, Slavin said of the Trump era. Contact the Webmaster to submit comments. The calendars for Print Maggard and James McHenry for the month of June, 2018. It said substantiated allegations will be treated seriously and consistently result in formal discipline up to dismissal.. Please see Google Maps for a map and directions to the immigration court. The Chronicles investigation revealed that inappropriate behavior by judges was far from uncommon in immigration courts around the country, and that the comments made by the Atlanta attorneys echoed sentiments voiced by their peers nationwide. The attorney general alone holds the power to fire immigration judges. A Chronicle investigation revealed numerous similar instances of harassment or misconduct in the courts, and found a system that allows sexually inappropriate behavior to flourish. See all files Cassidy is frequently a target of ad hominem attacks, threats, and unsubstantiated accusations by commenters and advocacy organizations who simply disagree with the merits of his decisions, spokesperson Kathryn Mattingly said in a statement. In the early 2010s, a womans complaint about Grants behavior caught the attention of then-President Barack Obamas director of the immigration courts, who opened an investigation. Elevator wait times may be significantly longer than usual for this reason. Security officers may inspect electronic equipment and conduct additional screening if deemed necessary or instructed to do so by the court. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1982 from Western Kentucky University; a masters of public administration in 1987 from Golden Gate University; Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Office, EOIRs Programs to Fight Fraud, Abuse, and Ineffective Representation in Immigration Proceedings. At the time, it was annoying but typical Cassidy, Genovese said. Maggard did commit clear personnel misconduct, the investigators concluded. They determine whether foreign-born individualswhom the Department of Homeland Security charges with violating immigration lawshould be ordered removed from the United States or should be granted relief from removal and be permitted to remain in this country. Face coverings may be required in the courtroom if directed by the presiding immigration judge. In the legal profession, information is the key to success. A third, a supervisor based mostly in San Francisco, commented with colleagues about the attractiveness of female job candidates, an internal investigation concluded. endstream endobj startxref The Southern Poverty Law Center and another nonprofit group, the Innovation Law Lab, compiled several examples from focus groups of attorneys they held, which were included in a report criticizing the immigration court system. Even when Im saying it now, I feel like Im starting to get red in the face, the attorney said. Already a subscriber? Many attorneys who have practiced before Cassidy say they decided they were better off brushing aside his conduct toward women than filing complaints. The immigration courts are housed within the Justice Department, meaning the judges are hired directly by the attorney general, a political appointee with a policy agenda. Immigration Court Backlog and Reprioritization, AILAs Immigration Law Practice & Procedure Manual, EOIR Announces that Chief Immigration Judge Is Stepping Down. Denise Slavin, who served as an immigration judge from 1995 to 2019, is president emerita of the union that represents immigration judges and still advises the organization. Judge-by-Judge Asylum Decisions in Immigration Courts Before and After the Attorney General's Directive : Denial Rate : Immigration Court: . 703-305-0289 (phone)PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov. He cracked a joke, and she was not amused, which Cassidy noticed. The light rail train and buses stop on the 8th Street side of the building. free lookups / month. 3. This is normally due to the referral being transferred to another agency (for example, EPA to Dept. He was allowed to keep his job, and still has it to this day, though he remains barred from working in the appeals courts headquarters unless his presence is unavoidable, such as in rare instances when the board hears oral arguments. Phones and electronic devices must be silenced in the court lobby. uhA7(RhYO'o6hs5oX/K$%zM}$nN_*I4%50}]I^C_J`cM 3"%}D5jW#{?d)yk~kIy.D# WC$0`udG*;K_E08DOc"H/}U 7^54N`mY5P8}k_R&P^jXqN1"I4,/+ Wf]d=u,5Rf;(n}kPxTJ2+l^'t${1axcm*vi\l Many e-mail messages are redacted in part with the text "not a responsive record." You have to know whats happening with clients, competitors, practice areas, and industries. Please review only once unless you have a new experience with this judge. All Rights Reserved, Review and comment based on your own experience. The Chronicle spoke with three people who confirmed the attorney shared the story with them shortly after it happened. About the Immigration Judge Juge Print was appointed as a DCIJ in November 2015. In the response regarding the board member that The Chronicle identified as Grant, the departments Freedom of Information Act counsel confirmed that one complaint of misbehavior resulted in the Board member being banned from entering into the building. The counsels office refused to share the original claim against Grant or the disciplinary letter with Hoppock, citing the individuals privacy protections. Attorney General H. Eric Holder Jr. appointed Judge Daugherty to begin hearing cases in November 2015. The confirmation came in a reply to immigration attorney Matthew Hoppocks request. Appeal information is as follows: * Appeal Tracking Number: DOJ-AP-2019-000724 * Request Tracking Number: 2018-37357 * Requester Name: Matthew Hoppock * Date Submitted: 10/26/2018 * Appeal Status: Submitted * Description: EOIR appeal, Recently Disciplined Practitioners, Reinstated (9).pdf, Matter of FALODUN, 27 I&N Dec. 52 (BIA 2017).pdf, Matter of D-R-, 27 I&N Dec. 105 (BIA 2017).pdf, EOIR Case Law Bulletin (Week of June 20, 2017).pdf, FW_ EOIR Case Law Bulletin (Week of Aug. 21, 2017).pdf, FW_ EOIR Case Law Bulletin (Week of Apr. The changes take effect July 26.. All I remember is him just laughing like he had made a funny comment that we should all think is funny.. The comments occurred before the judge opened the recorded portion of the hearing, they said. See all files. In comparison, for its state court system, California has a Commission on Judicial Performance to investigate complaints against judges, an independent agency with investigatory powers and authority to impose discipline. From May 2009 to December 2011, Judge Maggard served at the San Francisco Immigration Court as an immigration judge. An official website of the United States government. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Sophia Genovese, an immigration attorney, says it was common for immigration judges in Atlanta to make inappropriate remarks. Prior to that appointment as a DCIJ, he served as the Acting Chief Immigration Judge from July 2015 to March 2016, and as an Assistant Chieflmmigration Judge from January 2012 to July 2015. ), Create custom alerts for specific article and case topics and, I took a free trial but didn't get a verification email. A complaint about a San Francisco judge alleged he used incorrect pronouns for a transgender immigrant and asked one who was testifying about being tortured by police whether anyone ever insert(ed) anything into your ass in custody.. Its quite literally a Sophies choice that should never happen in the American legal system.. Genovese and other attorneys in Atlanta say such behavior was routine for Cassidy. And when such behavior has come to its attention, the department has in some instances simply transferred the offenders elsewhere. As long as immigration courts remain under the executive branch, she said, given how politicized immigration is as an issue, we will continue to have foxes guarding the henhouse., Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. For years, women working at the national headquarters of the immigration courts in Falls Church, Va., shared whispered warnings about Judge Edward R. Grant. All visitors to any building or facility in which an EOIR operation is located are required to comply with all relevant laws or policies governing access to those buildings or facilities. Otherwise, those responsive records will be sent via the method agreed upon with the FOIA processor. *Dp+_>g6,aP{PZY@JYAT,'JVpL/q2)p0* A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Password (at least 8 characters required). The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is an agency within the Department of Justice. H|TQo0~W= cTUjVjRHPv~wp||g>9Y7uQpr}Qn{XE-FY+ J8-LXm+.:r)vhPA];H,X#ABWu0(%(@iDc0m? But investigators wrote in the full report that they substantiated such allegations against Maggard and other supervisors. A 2018 memo by then-Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in response to that report defines sexual harassment as conduct including unwelcome advances or other behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. That includes telling sexually oriented jokes and making sexually offensive remarks., The memo said the term sexual misconduct includes on- and off-duty behavior. Consistent with public health officials guidance, EOIR has implemented practices to help to protect all people working in and visiting EOIR spaces throughout the country. Law360 may contact you in your professional capacity with information about our other products, services and events that we believe may be of interest.Youll be able to update your communication preferences via the unsubscribe link provided within our communications.We take your privacy seriously. He basically said to me, Are you naturally a blonde maybe? Like, I dont get it because Im a blonde, not a brunette, said the attorney, who requested anonymity because she still practices before the Atlanta court and is concerned about the way sexual harassment victims are treated when they go public. The new immigration judges were appointed by U.S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch. He wasnt alone, they added: We concluded that he participated in conversations in which other senior managers commented on the attractiveness of female job candidates.. Kopan has received other recognition from the California News Publishers Association, Atlanta Press Club, National Press Foundation, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Public transit is available via SacRT. All correspondence mentioning "Pereira" to or from James McHenry or Print Maggard. Get contact details including emails and phone numbers AILAs Advocacy Action Center allows you to advocate for legislative and policy reforms consistent with AILAs principles and priorities. Nichole Rodriguez - email: nichole.rodriguez@usdoj.gov, Jonathan W. Hitesman, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, John Moss Federal Building By Beth Winegarner (July 15, 2015, 7:25 PM EDT) -- Chief Immigration Judge Brian M. O'Leary is stepping down from his post after six years and will return to the bench in the Arlington Immigration Court, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday. Access to case data within articles (numbers, filings, courts, nature of suit, and more. It declined to say whether the others who participated in the conversations with Maggard were identified or faced consequences. The Chronicle's detailed policy governing the use of such sources, including the use of pseudonyms, is available on SFChronicle.com. In response to detailed questions before President Biden took office, the Justice Department declined to comment on specific allegations against judges, citing the privacy of personnel matters in some instances and the lack of written complaints in others, but said generally that it follows department procedures on misconduct. Its my hope that this hearing will be a first step toward negotiating a bipartisan, workable solution to what is really a crisis in our immigration courts., In her statement, Marks of the National Association of Immigration Judges called an independent court system the only sustainable solution to check against the politics that has plagued the immigration courts over the years.. Jonathan S. Simpson, Immigration Judge, San Francisco Immigration Court. From: Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. Supervisors concluded that Grant had harassed female staffers, and took an extraordinary step: They banned Grant from the court building. 2. He also warned attorneys not to make baseless complaints designed to harass, threaten, intimidate, or retaliate against judges. Among the infractions that brought only counseling: a judge who said of an immigrant, She has no value or has demonstrated no value or service to the community but for a sexual service., Another judge was only reprimanded for what a Justice Department document described as inappropriate comments regarding rape victims and premarital sex.. The departments main objectives are to enforce the law and defend the interests of the U.S. according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and Find contact details for 700 million professionals. Please allow for additional time to go through the security screening process. of Commerce) or to a sub-agency to process it. Grant did not respond to requests for comment. After the report was completed in November 2019, Maggard was demoted and reassigned to be an immigration judge in Sacramento. Some of the appointments they have made up there have been some of the worst offenders.. Attorneys Ivan Yacub and Lauren Truslow represented a woman seeking asylum in Arlington, Va., arguing she was a victim of sex trafficking and had been brutally sexually assaulted in her native country. EOIR announcement that Brian M. O'Leary is returning to the Arlington Immigration Court as an immigration judge. Print Maggard Immigration Judge at U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review San Francisco Bay Area 506 followers 500 connections Join to view profile U.S.. These new immigration judges, along with their 19 colleagues who were invested in June, strengthen our immigration judge corps and will help our agency work towards decreasing our current backlog of more than 450,000 pending cases., Daniel J. Daugherty, Immigration Judge, Las Vegas Immigration Court. The calendars for Print Maggard and James McHenry for the month of June, 2018. Sacramento, CA 95814. Metered street parking is nearby. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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