On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals suspended attorney Workneh Churnet from practicing law before the Board, Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This suspension is a result of disciplinary proceedings initiated after Churnet’s suspension from the practice of law in the District of Columbia.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Workneh Churnet.”
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals had suspended Churnet on August 21, 2025, for 90 days, with most of that time stayed in favor of a year of supervised probation. Subsequently, the Disciplinary Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Disciplinary Counsel for DHS jointly filed a petition seeking Churnet’s immediate suspension from practicing before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and DHS.
The Board granted the petition based on the grounds for immediate suspension outlined in 8 C.F.R. §§ 1003.103(a)(1) and (4). The suspension will remain in effect pending the final resolution of the disciplinary proceedings.
As part of the order, Churnet is required to promptly inform all clients with pending cases before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, or DHS about his suspension. He must also maintain records demonstrating his compliance with this notification requirement.
The notice of suspension will be made available to the public, including at Immigration Courts and DHS offices. The Board of Immigration Appeals noted it may set aside the order of immediate suspension if good cause is shown and it appears in the interest of justice to do so, as outlined in 8 C.F.R. § 1003.103(a)(4).
The Disposition states:
“The petition is granted, and the respondent is suspended from the practice of law before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and DHS, pending final disposition of this proceeding.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Churnet is an attorney in Washington, District of Columbia.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
