BIA Chairman Schmidt Resigns as of March 20, 2001
Posted Apr 13, 2001

Mr. Paul Schmidt, who has served as Chairman of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) since 1995, has resigned his post, according to a March 20, 2001 announcement. Until the appointment of a new Chairman, Vice Chair Lori L. Scialabba will serve as Acting Chairman.

The Board of Immigration Appeals handles appeals from decisions of Immigration Judges in proceedings, as well as appeals on some other types of immigration filings such as family based immigrant petitions. Mr. Schmidt will continue to serve as a Board Member at the BIA.

Mr. Schmidt is credited with many important innovations during his tenure as BIA Chairman, including a new management structure, a smoother deliberation process, an award-winning practice manual, and a Virtual Law Library of research information available on the web. Furthermore, Mr. Schmidt also began a Pro Bono Appeals Pilot Program to assist those who cannot afford attorneys to present their appeals to the BIA.