On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a decision to suspend Attorney Miguel Angel Olano from practicing law before the Board, the Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The suspension, effective February 5, 2025, stems from a prior disciplinary action taken by the Supreme Court of California and will remain in place until a final resolution is reached in the ongoing disciplinary proceedings.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Miguel Angel Olano.”
The California Supreme Court had previously suspended Olano from practicing law in the state for one year, effective January 6, 2025. However, the court stayed the full suspension and placed him on probation with specific conditions. One condition required Olano to serve an actual suspension for the first 60 days of his probation, beginning February 5, 2025.
On January 28, 2025, the Disciplinary Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and the Disciplinary Counsel for DHS jointly filed a petition seeking Olano’s immediate suspension from practicing before federal immigration bodies. The petition cited federal regulations that allow for such suspensions when an attorney faces disciplinary action in another jurisdiction. The Board granted the petition.
As a result of the board’s order, Olano is barred from representing clients in immigration matters before the specified federal entities. The suspension aligns with the start of his 60-day suspension in California and will continue pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings. The Board’s regulations allow for the possibility of lifting the suspension if Olano demonstrates good cause and if it is deemed in the interest of justice, though no such action has been taken as of the order’s issuance.
In addition to the suspension, the Board imposed several requirements on Olano. He must promptly notify all clients with active cases before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, or DHS of his suspension in writing. He is also obligated to keep detailed records proving he has complied with this notification mandate.
The Disposition states:
“The petition is granted, and the respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and DHS, effective February 5, 2025, pending final disposition of this proceeding.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Olano is an attorney in Santa Clarita, California. He attended the Rutgers University School of Law.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
