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About the Authors

The Honorable Elizabeth A. Hacker (Ret.)

Judge Hacker was appointed as a United States Immigration Judge in July 1995 to re-establish an Immigration Court in Michigan, which was expanded under her tenure to include jurisdiction over immigration proceedings in Ohio and northern Kentucky. She has held numerous positions within the former Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) including naturalization attorney, trial attorney, and chief attorney for three immigration districts, including Los Angeles. She was selected for special assignment to the United States Department of Justice Civil Division’s Immigration Appellate Section for a one year appointment. During this time, she handled numerous cases in the United States Courts of Appeal for the Third, Fourth, and Ninth Circuits. In addition, she assisted on several class actions involving detention of Cuban nationals, issues of pursuit, and other law enforcement activities. She also served as assistant regional counsel for the western region of the INS. While affiliated with the INS, she acted as an instructor at both of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academies. She taught subjects including the law of arrest, search and seizure, employer sanctions, and general immigration law. She was a member of the Employer Sanctions Legal Advisory Group with the INS. As an attorney, she has had broad experience in litigation in the federal sector as well as in the immigration court arena. She is a graduate of Wayne State University and Detroit College of Law.

The Honorable Mahlon F. Hanson (Ret.)

Judge Hanson was appointed as a United States Immigration Judge at the Miami Immigration Court in March 1995 and served in that capacity until July 2010. From May1987 to June 1994, he served as Deputy Regional Counsel in St. Paul, Minnesota and then Deputy District Counsel in Miami, Florida from June 1994 to March 1995. From August 1983 to July 1986, he served as a judge with the Minnesota Workers Compensation Court of Appeals, and from July 1986 to May 1987 he served as Chief Judge. From January 1982 to August 1983, he served as the Minnesota Assistant Commissioner for Workers Compensation, and from April 1980 to January 1982, he worked as a workers compensation trial judge. From August 1976 to April 1980, he worked as a staff attorney for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Judge Hanson also served as a Staff Judge Advocate Officer in the United States Army while on active duty from January 1970 to November 1974. From November 1974 to June 1994, he acted as a Staff Judge Advocate Officer while in the United States Army Reserves at the 88th United States Army Reserve Command in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Judge Hanson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 from the University of Minnesota and then his Juris Doctorate from University of Minnesota Law School in 1969.

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