Phyllis Coven

Background

About Phyllis Coven

I’m an immigration policy leader with over 30 years of experience shaping and implementing immigration and humanitarian programs in the U.S. and globally. I’ve served under three U.S. Presidents in senior roles at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice, and with international organizations including the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration. My work has focused on driving policy reform and operational excellence in immigration services, enforcement, detention, and humanitarian protection — with a commitment to fairness, accountability, and effective governance. As a Harvard fellow, I’m examining public attitudes toward immigration and the forces shaping those views today and in the past. I’m exploring how to foster a more constructive national dialogue and strategies for developing immigration policies that are aligned both with America’s enduring values and today’s political landscape. My last position in government was as the USCIS Ombudsman in the Biden Administration, leading independent oversight and delivering recommendations to improve the experience of people seeking citizenship, residency, and protection. I’ve also directed large USCIS district offices in New York and Los Angeles, managed international operations in Jordan and South Africa, and advanced detention policy reform at ICE. Internationally, I’ve supported migration management and humanitarian efforts across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, including during the UN’s Syria response and in negotiations on the Global Compacts for Refugees and Migration. I’m passionate about advancing humane, effective migration systems that reflect both US national interests and shared global responsibility.