FAIR Announces Julie Kirchner as the New Executive Director

In January, FAIR’s Board of Directors announced Julie Kirchner as the organization’s new executive director. Julie replaces Bob Dane who retired late last year after having served in that position since 2015.

If Julie’s name sounds familiar, it’s because it is. She previously served as FAIR’s executive director from 2007 until 2015. Julie brings to FAIR a wealth of knowledge obtained through years of hands-on work in our nation’s immigration agencies. After her initial tenure at FAIR, she served four years as an official at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) where she fought to improve our immigration system. Her first role was Senior Advisor to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where she guided various border security efforts, including the implementation of tactical infrastructure at the southern border, development of border security metrics, and coordination of outreach initiatives to the public.

Between 2017 and 2019, Julie served as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Ombudsman. As Ombudsman, she led an independent office within DHS headquarters dedicated to helping immigration benefits seekers and visa applicants navigate USCIS procedures and resolve problems.

All of this experience and expertise will serve FAIR well, as the organization faces the challenges posed by the current chaos wrought by the Biden administration and turns them into opportunities to promote the organization’s vision of fair and sustainable immigration policies that serve the best interests of our nation.