The Executive Office for Immigration Review Swears In Two Immigration Judges

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) today announced the investiture of two immigration judges. Chief Immigration Judge Brian M. O’Leary presided over the investiture during a ceremony held at EOIR’s headquarters on Nov. 21, 2014.

After a thorough application process, Attorney General Eric Holder appointed Glen R. Baker and Myrna Amelia Mesa to their new positions. “We are excited to welcome Immigration Judges Baker and Mesa to serve in our immigration courts in Salt Lake City and New Orleans, respectively,” said O’Leary. “These two positions are a first step in bolstering our immigration judge corps.”

Biographical information follows.

Glen R. Baker, Immigration Judge, Salt Lake City Immigration Court

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. appointed Judge Baker in November 2014. Judge Baker received a bachelor of arts degree in 1982 from James Madison University and a juris doctorate in 1994 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. From 1995 to 2014, he served as an attorney advisor for the Board of Immigration Appeals, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), U.S. Department of Justice. During this time, from 2010 to 2011, he served as an associate general counsel for EOIR. From 1994 to 1995, Judge Baker worked as a judicial law clerk for the Harlingen Immigration Court, entering on duty through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. From 1993 to 1994, he was the managing editor for the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review. Judge Baker is a member of the North Carolina State Bar.

Myrna A. Mesa, Immigration Judge, New Orleans Immigration Court

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. appointed Judge Mesa in 2014. Judge Mesa received a bachelor of arts degree in 1986 from Loyola University Chicago, a juris doctorate in 1990 from the University of Michigan Law School, and a master of fine arts degree in 2008 from Old Dominion University. From 2007 to 2014, she served as an assistant chief counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in Orlando, Fla. During this time, from 2010 to 2014, Judge Mesa served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida. From 1999 to 2007, Judge Mesa served as an attorney advisor, U.S. Department of the Army, in Fort Monroe, Va. From 1991 to 1999, she served in the U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General Corps, where she worked primarily as a criminal litigation attorney in various capacities, including senior defense counsel and chief trial counsel. She is currently an active U.S. Army reservist. Judge Mesa is a member of the Illinois and Virginia State Bars.

- EOIR -

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is an agency within the Department of Justice. Under delegated authority from the Attorney General, immigration judges and the Board of Immigration Appeals interpret and adjudicate immigration cases according to United States immigration laws. EOIR’s immigration judges conduct administrative court proceedings in immigration courts located throughout the nation. They determine whether foreign-born individuals—whom the Department of Homeland Security charges with violating immigration law—should be ordered removed from the United States or should be granted relief from removal and be permitted to remain in this country. The Board of Immigration Appeals primarily reviews appeals of decisions by immigration judges. EOIR’s Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. EOIR is committed to ensuring fairness in all of the cases it adjudicates.