The Executive Office For Immigration Review Swears In New Assistant Chief Immigration Judge

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) today announced the investiture of a new assistant chief immigration judge. Chief Immigration Judge Brian M. O’Leary presided over the investiture during a ceremony held at EOIR’s headquarters on Feb. 1, 2013.

After a thorough application process, Attorney General Eric Holder appointed Abigail M. Price to her new position. “We are pleased to welcome Ms. Price as our newest assistant chief immigration judge,” said O’Leary. “She will be responsible for the continuing development and implementation of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge’s emphasis on providing immigration proceedings for all respondents that are fundamentally fair and timely. We are proud to be able to place in this important role someone with Judge Price’s strong background in working with vulnerable populations.”

Biographical information follows.

Abigail M. Price, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge

Abigail M. Price was appointed as an assistant chief immigration judge in January 2013, with responsibility for continuing the development and implementation of EOIR policy concerning vulnerable populations. She received a bachelor of arts degree in 1982 from Wheaton College, in Norton, Mass.; a juris doctorate in 1988 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio; and a master of laws degree in 1989 from New York University School of Law. From April 2012 to December 2012, Judge Price served as a consultant to Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore, Md. From April 2011 to December 2011, she was a consultant for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in New York. From April 2009 to April 2011, Judge Price served as deputy and national legal services director for Kids in Need of Defense in Washington, D.C. From 2001 to 2009, she worked for the IRC, as national director of immigration programs, and as global advisor on the prevention of exploitation. From 2000 to 2001, Judge Price was a resettlement expert for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Department of International Protection, Resettlement Section, in Geneva, Switzerland. From 1996 to 2000, she served as immigration policy advisor for the National Catholic Conference of Bishops/United States Catholic Conference, Migration and Refugee Services, in Washington, D.C. From 1994 to 1996, Judge Price served as the Washington representative for Church World Service, Immigration and Refugee Program, National Council of Churches USA, in New York. From 1993 to 1994, she was supervising attorney for Haitian Legal Services. From June 1992 to December 1992, Judge Price served as supervising attorney for the Haitian Refugee Program for Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. From 1990 to 1992, she served as supervising attorney for the Diocese of Brooklyn, Catholic Migration Office, in New York. Judge Price is a member of the Connecticut Bar.

- 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.