U.VA. LAW PROFESSOR DAVID MARTIN
 NAMED CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER OF INS

	CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 13 -- David A. Martin, professor
of law at the University of Virginia, has begun a term as general
counsel of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
	Martin, a nationally recognized authority on refugee, asylum
and immigration issues who served as a State Department special
assistant for human rights during the Carter Administration, is
taking a two-year leave from the U.Va. law school, where he holds
the Henry L. & Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation professorship.
He will supervise nearly 400 INS attorneys located around the
country, provide legal advice to the agency and help shape the
nation's immigration policy.
	Martin will also be involved in implementing asylum reforms
adopted last year and that he helped shape as an INS consultant.
The changes are designed to speed up the asylum process without
limiting due process.
	Martin said he places a priority on making the career of INS
attorney a more attractive one and on enhancing the agency's role as
an integrated part of the Justice Department.
	"Major immigration legislation is under consideration on
Capitol Hill now," he said. "Decisions made over the next 18 months
will probably set the course of immigration policy for decades.  I
welcome the opportunity to play a more direct role in the policy
process during such a period.  It's a wonderful time for me to be
here."
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September 12, 1995
Reporters and Editors:  David Martin may be reached at (202)
514-2895.