Thomas Alexander Aleinikoff (born 1952) is Director of the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility at The New School in New York City.[1] He was a law professor and dean at Georgetown University Law CenterinWashington, D.C. He served, from 2010 to 2015, as the Deputy High Commissioner in the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesinGeneva, Switzerland. He was most recently a visiting professor of law and Huo Global Policy Initiative Research Fellow, Columbia Global Policy Initiative.[2]
Aleinikoff joined the law faculty of Georgetown University Law Center in 1997.[5] From 2003 to 2004, Aleinikoff was associate dean of the Law Center and was named dean of the Law Center and executive vice president of Georgetown University in 2004.[6]
On December 2, 2009, Aleinikoff notified students and faculty of his intention to accept appointment as Deputy High Commissioner of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). António Guterres of Portugal said, "Mr. Aleinikoff brings a rich combination of skills and experience that will serve refugees and UNHCR extremely well."[5] Mr. Aleinikoff expressed his gratitude for the appointment, saying, "I am honored to be joining UNHCR, an organization I have admired for many years. I look forward to contributing to UNHCR's work on behalf of more than 34 million refugees, internally displaced and other persons of concern around the world."[5]
As executive associate commissioner at the INS, Aleinikoff oversaw program development from 1995 to 1997. Prior to that, as general counsel for the INS from 1994 to 1995, he participated in major decisions that included reform of the US asylum process.
