IJ Susan Beschta Dies At 67

In tragic news, Immigration Judge Susan Beschta died of brain cancer at age 67. The New York Times published a lovely obituary about her life that is well worth your time [link].¹

The obituary goes into Beschta's fascinating life — which took her from being a member of the punk rock band the “Erasers” in the 1970s to obtaining a law degree in 1989 and dedicating her life to service. Beschta worked for nine years as an attorney for Catholic Charities in New York before becoming a Department of Homeland Security assistant chief counsel in New York in 2002. Shortly after receiving her brain cancer diagnosis and having surgery, Beschta was sworn in as an immigration judge on the New York City Immigration Court.

I knew Susan Beschta to be an incredibly good person and am very saddened by her passing away. It is a great loss for all of us involved in cases before the New York City Immigration Court that we will not benefit from her high character and keen intelligence. She is survived by her three children and four siblings. She lived her life well, and will be missed by many.

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1. Williams, Alex. “Susab Beschta, Punk Rocker Turned Judge, Is Dead at 67.” The New York Times. May 10, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/obituaries/susan-beschta-dead.html