MICHAEL C. ANIGBOGU
El Cerrito,USA
Overview
47
47
years of professional experience
Work History
Asylum Officer III
DHS/USCIS, Arlington Asylum Office
08.2023 - Current
- Adjudicating complex affirmative asylum and prescreening cases, including those involving national security, public safety concerns and high-profile cases that have high visibility. Analyzing new or amended legislation, and interpreting policy covering USCIS programs, activities, or functions for which the agency has responsibility. Conducting research of specific Country Conditions in Coordination with RAIO Research Unit as part of adjudication process. Generally, adjudicating asylum applications, including, Asylum Merit Interviews, through non-adversarial interviews, to determine whether an individual qualifies for asylum, statutory withholding or removal, or withholding or removal under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
- Supervisor: Kizito Osuji-(408) 416 1164
Arbitrator
Board of Neutral Arbitrators, FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority-formerly NASD)
01.1992 - Current
- Serves alone or in panels of neutral arbitrators as decision makers, weighing the facts of each case presented and rendering timely awards or decisions. As an arbitrator, I listen to or hear all sides of the arguments or the issues as set forth or presented by the parties, study the evidence or testimonial and or documentary evidence, ask questions of parties and witnesses, and then render a decision on the matter or find other legal ways to resolve the matter. I work in this capacity either as the sole arbitrator or as part of a three-person arbitration panel.
Solo Practitioner/Immigration Attorney
Law Office of Mike Anigbogu
10.2018 - 08.2023
- Practice focused on immigration matters, including, Asylum, consular processing, naturalization, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, and representation before USCIS Adjudicating Officers. Assisting clients in completing all necessary paperwork required by the USCIS, conducting legal research, document review and drafting Motions to Reopen or to Reconsider or Appeals. Generally, helping clients to navigate the complex US immigration system, including, providing them with legal and technical support regarding the interpretation of Immigration Law.
Asylum Officer
DHS/USCIS, San Francisco Asylum Office
06.2002 - 09.2018
- Adjudicated asylum applications, conducted credible and reasonable fear screenings, reviewed asylum applications and supporting evidence, conducted in-depth non adversarial asylum interviews, researched appropriate country conditions information and reports, interpreted and applied policy, regulations, statutes, and precedent decisions; and produced written assessments to support decisions, testified in administrative proceedings before Immigration Courts, reviewed information from law enforcement databases and other records to identify individuals ineligible for asylum due to national security, public safety or other grounds.
- Supervisor: Vincent Ferri-(415) 575 1314
Refugee Processing Detail
07.2016 - 09.2016
- Reviewed applications for refugee status for benefit eligibility and reviewed and adjudicated requests for review of final determinations. Conducted interviews of applicants to determine eligibility to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Researched immigration laws and relevant country conditions. Analyzed testimony, documentation, and credibility to determine eligibility for benefits. Interpreted and applied U.S. immigration laws and policies to make final eligibility determinations. Reviewed security checks information to identify individuals who are ineligible due to national security or other grounds of inadmissibility. Wrote assessments to support decisions for refugee status. Worked harmoniously with the team and with officials of other agencies in involved in refugee processing.
- Team Leader/Supervisor: - Jon P. Smith (646) 267 9437.
Executive Leadership Intern
DHS/USCIS, United States Embassies, Guatemala and EL Salvador
01.2009 - 02.2009
- Completed a 60-day Executive Leadership Development Assignments at USCIS offices in the US Embassies in Guatemala and El Salvador, respectively. Shadowed and worked directly under the district director in Guatemala; and worked very closely and harmoniously with the FOD, other Overseas Adjudication Officers and staff and in both Embassies, Adjudicated Petitions for Alien Relatives (Form I-130), Application for Travel Document (Form I-131), Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (Form I-600), Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form-600A), Application for Waiver of Ground of Inadmissibility (Form I-601), processing Boarding Letters and Asylee/Refugee following-to join applications, attended several weekly Country Team Meetings and maintained liaison and contacts with other high-level Embassy and Consular officials.
- Supervisor-Joe T. Roma (610) 972 7115
Solo Practitioner/Attorney
Law Offices of Michael C. Anigbogu
12.1997 - 05.2002
- Managed a solo general law practice. Practice areas, include, environmental law research, immigration law practice and litigation.
Attorney/Assistant Counsel
New York State Department of Social Services
02.1993 - 03.1994
- Represented the Department in administrative hearings, answered audit queries and Freedom of Information requests, prepared witnesses for hearings before administrative courts, interviewed and advised investigative agents and reviewed investigative reports.
Of Counsel
Law Offices of K. C. Okoli
09.1991 - 02.1993
- Conducted legal research, client intake interviews, consultations and depositions. Participated in court trials, administrative hearings and arbitration proceedings. Maintained extensive client contacts.
- Supervisor-K.C. Okoli-(212) 564 8152
Trial Court Clerkship/Legal Intern
HON. R. J. Castellani, Judge, County Superior Court
09.1989 - 06.1990
- Read and reviewed legal memoranda and briefs. Researched legal questions. Observed chamber conferences, motion practice, adversary proceedings, settlement meetings and legal submissions.
- Supervisor-Judge Robert. J. Castellani-(404) 371 2457
Founder and Principal
Mike Anigbogu and Co, Barristers and Solicitors
09.1979 - 08.1989
- Built practice from the ground up. Supervised four associate attorneys, two clerks, a legal assistant and student interns. Represented clients in contested matters, including, the drafting of motions and pleadings. Provided legal representation covering all facets of general law practice and litigation before all courts and administrative tribunals in Nigeria. Mentored and supervised the firm’s new or less experienced attorneys, legal assistants and student interns.
Coordinator Legal Aid Services
National Youth Service Corps
07.1978 - 07.1979
- Codirected a legal aid program in Nigeria’s second largest city, Ibadan. Interviewed legal aid applicants, assigned cases to attorneys and handled some of the cases, before criminal courts.
Education
Certificate - Refugee and Forced Migration Issues
York University, Center for Refugee Studies
Toronto, Canada05.2010
Certificate - Leadership Program (ELP)
Graduate School, USDA, Center for Leadership and Management
Washington, DC06.2009
LL.M. Degree - Environmental Law
Pace University, School of Law
White Plains, NY05.1997
LL.M. Degree - Trial Advocacy Program
Emory University, School of Law
Atlanta, GA09.1989
Nigerian Bar Certificate - undefined
Nigerian Law School
Lagos, Nigeria07.1978
LL.B. - Bachelor of Laws Degree
University of Nigeria
Enugu, Nigeria06.1977
Skills
- Work coordination
- Report writing
- Strategic planning
- Innovation and creativity
Affiliations
- Board of Neutral Arbitrators, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA, formerly NASD) 1992-Present
- Member New York Bar Association, 1991-Present
- Nigerian Bar Association Kano, Nigeria 1978-Present- (Chairman-Kano Branch 1985-1989)
Timeline
Asylum Officer III
DHS/USCIS, Arlington Asylum Office
08.2023 - Current
Solo Practitioner/Immigration Attorney
Law Office of Mike Anigbogu
10.2018 - 08.2023
Refugee Processing Detail
07.2016 - 09.2016
Executive Leadership Intern
DHS/USCIS, United States Embassies, Guatemala and EL Salvador
01.2009 - 02.2009
Asylum Officer
DHS/USCIS, San Francisco Asylum Office
06.2002 - 09.2018
Solo Practitioner/Attorney
Law Offices of Michael C. Anigbogu
12.1997 - 05.2002
Attorney/Assistant Counsel
New York State Department of Social Services
02.1993 - 03.1994
Arbitrator
Board of Neutral Arbitrators, FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority-formerly NASD)
01.1992 - Current
Of Counsel
Law Offices of K. C. Okoli
09.1991 - 02.1993
Trial Court Clerkship/Legal Intern
HON. R. J. Castellani, Judge, County Superior Court
09.1989 - 06.1990
Founder and Principal
Mike Anigbogu and Co, Barristers and Solicitors
09.1979 - 08.1989
Coordinator Legal Aid Services
National Youth Service Corps
07.1978 - 07.1979
Certificate - Leadership Program (ELP)
Graduate School, USDA, Center for Leadership and Management
LL.M. Degree - Environmental Law
Pace University, School of Law
LL.M. Degree - Trial Advocacy Program
Emory University, School of Law
Nigerian Bar Certificate - undefined
Nigerian Law School
LL.B. - Bachelor of Laws Degree
University of Nigeria
Certificate - Refugee and Forced Migration Issues
York University, Center for Refugee Studies
SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS
- The Future of Electromagnetic Fields Litigations, 15-2 PACE ENTL. L. REV. Spring 1998
- Environmental Law of Nigeria, in 2 Comparative Environmental Law and Regulation, [Nicholas Robinson ed., Oceana Publications Inc. Dobbs Ferry, N. Y., (Release 97-1, issued April 1997)]
RELEVANT TRAINING/EDUCATION
- Asylum Merits Interview Certified, 12/12/2023
- Asylum Processing Rule Training Module, 11/03/2023
- High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS), 12/2016
- Middle East Refugee Processing (MERP), 9/2016
- Working in an Embassy, 8/2016
- Security Overseas Seminar (SOS), 6/2016
- Refugee 101, 6/2016
- Immigration Officers Basic Training Course (IOBTC), 2004
- Asylum Officers Basic Training Course (AOBTC), 2002
BAR ADMISSIONS
- U. S. Supreme Court, 2000
- New York, 1991
- Supreme Court of Nigeria, 1978