Phyllis Coven
2026 ALI Fellow

Phyllis Coven brings to ALI a distinguished career in immigration, humanitarian affairs, and public service spanning more than three decades across U.S. government agencies, the United Nations, and international NGOs. She most recently served on secondment to the UN in Türkiye, where she led post-earthquake protection efforts against exploitation and abuse in humanitarian operations. As the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman under the Biden Administration, Phyllis provided independent oversight and systemic reform recommendations to improve U.S. immigration services. Her leadership has also included senior roles at the International Organization for Migration, where she directed multi-stakeholder protection programs in Syria and advised on global migration policy in Geneva.

Earlier in her career, Phyllis held high-level appointments within the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, including Director of International Affairs at INS and District Director for USCIS in both New York and Los Angeles. She has shaped refugee resettlement policy, reformed detention systems, and led U.S. operations abroad in regions including the Middle East and Southern Africa.