Durbin Statement Regarding Samuel Der-Yeghiayan

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement in support of the nomination of Samuel Der-Yeghiayan to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Der-Yeghiayan testified today at a nominations hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is expected to vote next month on his nomination.

"A native of Syria, Sam Der-Yeghiayan has lived in the Chicago area for over 25 years and has had a distinguished legal career. He has developed an excellent reputation for compassion and fairness in the enforcement of our immigration laws.

"He was the District Counsel of the Chicago INS office for nearly two decades, from 1982-2000. In this position, he made important decisions affecting immigrants seeking asylum or appealing deportation. He was responsible for all legal activities of the INS in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. He supervised dozens of trial attorneys and represented the United States in federal, state, and administrative courts on issues arising under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the principal U.S. immigration law. In recognition of his hard work and effectiveness, he was awarded the 'District Counsel of the Year' award in 1998.

"In 2000, he was appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno to be an Immigration Judge in Chicago. It is a prestigious appointment within the Justice Department, and it shows that he has the confidence of federal law enforcement.

"Significantly, Judge Der-Yeghiayan also has the confidence of the immigration bar. Earlier this year, he was awarded the First Annual Chicago Immigrant Achievement Award from the American Immigration Law Foundation, an award to honor 'outstanding immigrants whose contributions have greatly enriched our nation.' The organization that bestowed the award consists primarily of lawyers who represent immigrants and who often litigate against the INS.

"Anyone who can earn the trust of both federal law enforcement as well as immigrant communities understands the responsibilities of a judge. I am confident that Judge Der-Yeghiayan's reputation for fairness and compassion will extend to his service on the federal District Court, and I encourage my colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee to support his nomination."