On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals disbarred Attorney Brandon John Janssen from practicing law before the Board, the Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), effective immediately. This decision follows Janssen’s disbarment in Michigan, which took effect on October 19, 2024, after the attorney was suspended for 180 days beginning on March 19, 2024.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Brandon John Janssen.”
The disciplinary actions against Janssen stem from allegations of professional misconduct. The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board initially suspended him for 180 days, during which he was required to comply with specific conditions. However, following this suspension, the Joint Notice of Intent to Discipline submitted by the Disciplinary Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and DHS led to further consequences for Janssen’s legal career.
The Board of Immigration Appeals noted that Janssen failed to respond to the allegations outlined in the Joint Notice of Intent to Discipline, which is considered an admission of the allegations according to the regulations outlined in 8 C.F.R. § 1003.105. His failure to file a timely response precludes him from requesting a hearing, allowing the Board to proceed with the proposed sanction without further deliberation.
The Board’s decision to disbar Janssen was influenced by his prior disbarment in Michigan. The regulations stipulate that when an attorney is disbarred in one jurisdiction, it can lead to similar actions in others if the attorney practices law in those jurisdictions. Consequently, the Board aligned its disciplinary action with the outcomes of the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, concluding that disbarment was warranted given Janssen’s ongoing professional issues.
In addition to the immediate disbarment, the Board ordered that Janssen must maintain compliance with previous directives and notify the Board of any further disciplinary actions against him. The contents of the order will be made public and accessible at the Immigration Courts and relevant offices of DHS.
The Board’s order allows for the possibility of reinstatement; however, such a petition must be formally submitted under the regulations outlined in 8 C.F.R. § 1003.107.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Janssen is an immigration attorney in Ferndale, Michigan.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
