I have been practicing immigration law since 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am a 1982 graduate cum laude of the University of Minnesota Law School. Prior to law school I spent two years in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, South America. I received a Bachelor of Elected Studies Degree from the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts in 1977. I am a past Chair of the Immigration Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association. I have served as a past Chair of the Minnesota/Dakotas American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Chapter and haes previously served as Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. I have served on the AILA Essential Workers Committee, AILA Immigration Works Committee, AILA InfoNet Committee, and have chaired the Technology Seminar Committee and the Legislative Ways and Means Committee. I am an AILA mentor on St. Paul DHS District Office procedures, and have served as an AILA mentor on immigration issues to Congressional offices. I edit articles for AILA's publication, Immigration Law Today as part of the editorial advisory board. I am a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Minnesota State Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights and various other professional and civic groups. I hold an "A-V" rating from Martindale-Hubbell and am listed in their Directory of Preeminent Lawyers. Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Monthly have recognized me as a "Super Lawyer" in immigration law. I have received the AILA National Presidential Commendation for "creative and tireless advocacy" on behalf of immigrants. I am a Trustee Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of the American Immigration Law Foundation. I have spoken and written for various immigration law seminars. Steven C. Thal is an attorney practising immigration law in Minnetonka, Minnesota.