EOIR ANNOUNCES 23 NEW IMMIGRATION JUDGE APPOINTMENTS – TREND OF APPOINTING LARGELY FROM GOVERNMENT BACKGROUNDS CONTINUES!

NOTICE

U.S. Department of Justice

Executive Office for Immigration Review

Office of Policy
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, Virginia 22041

Contact: Communications and Legislative Affairs Division

Phone: 703-305-0289 Fax: 703-605-0365PAO.EOIR@usdoj.gov @DOJ_EOIR

www.justice.gov/eoir

Aug. 15, 2018

Executive Office for Immigration Review Swears in 23 Immigration Judges

Stuart D. Alcorn, Immigration Judge, Pearsall Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Stuart D. Alcorn to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Alcorn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994 from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. From 2008 to 2018, he served as assistant chief counsel for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in San Antonio, Texas. From 2008 to 2017, he also served as a military defense attorney in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, U.S. Army Reserve. From 2005 to 2008, he was a military prosecutor and command judge advocate in the JAG Corps at Fort Benning, Ga. In addition to military duties, during 2005 to 2008, he was special assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Columbus, Ga. In 2004, he was a law clerk for Ron Woods’ legal practice in Houston. From 2002 to 2004, he was a student clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Houston. Judge Alcorn is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

Robert A. Fellrath, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Robert A. Fellrath to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Fellrath earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 and a Juris Doctor in 1999, both from the University of Notre Dame. From 2008 to 2018, he was assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tucson, Ariz. From 2007 to 2008, he was assistant federal public defender for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Burlington, Vt. From 2000 to 2018, he served in different roles, locations, and increasing levels of seniority with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Army, in both active and reserve duty. These assignments were in San Antonio, Texas; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Judge Fellrath is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Kathleen French, Immigration Judge, Otero Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Kathleen French to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge French earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Juris Doctor in 1997 from George Mason University. From 2000 to 2018, she

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was assistant chief counsel and deputy chief counsel with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in several locations: Denver; Lumpkin, Ga.; and Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, Fla. From 1999 to 2000, she was a judicial law clerk (JLC) with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice in Miami. From 1997 to 1999, she was a JLC with the Third District Court of Appeal, also in Miami. From 1998 to 2013, she served in several reserve-duty roles with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Army. From 1994 to 1982, she served on active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard as a shipboard law enforcement officer. Judge French is a member of The Florida Bar.

Daniel B. Gilbert, Immigration Judge, Harlingen Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Daniel B. Gilbert to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Gilbert earned a Bachelor of Talmudic Law degree in 2004 from the New Israel Rabbinical College and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He was assistant chief counsel with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security from 2012 to 2016 in Harlingen, Texas, and from 2016 to 2018 in Baltimore. From 2009 to 2011, he was a staff attorney with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York. In 2007, he was a student clerk with the U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J., as well as a judicial intern with the New York State Supreme Court of Kings County in Brooklyn, N.Y. Judge Gilbert is a member of the New York and New Jersey State Bars.

Lena Golovnin, Immigration Judge, New York City Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Lena Golovnin to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Golovnin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002 from Hunter College and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. From 2010 to 2018, she was assistant chief counsel for the Office of the Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in New York, N.Y. From 2009 to 2010, she was attorney advisor for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Department of Justice (DOJ), also in New York, N.Y. From 2008 to 2009, she was a judicial law clerk and later attorney advisor for EOIR, DOJ in San Antonio, Texas. Judge Golovnin is a member of the New York State Bar and the State Bar of Michigan.

Cynthia Gordon, Immigration Judge, New York City Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Cynthia Gordon to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Gordon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 from Hamilton College and a Juris Doctor in 1993 from Cornell Law School. From 2007 to 2018, she was assistant chief counsel in the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in New York, N.Y. From 2001 to 2007, she was special assistant attorney general in the New York State Attorney General’s Office in New York City. From 1994 to 2001, she was assistant district attorney in the New York Country District Attorney’s Office, also in New York, N.Y. From 1993 to 1994, she was a judicial clerk in the Superior Court of New

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Jersey in Cape May, N.J. Judge Gordon is a member of the New York and New Jersey State Bars.

Nathan L. Herbert, Immigration Judge, El Paso Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Nathan L. Herbert to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Herbert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2003 from Western Michigan University and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the Michigan State University College of Law. From 2015 to 2018, he was deputy chief counsel for the Office of Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in San Antonio, Texas. From 2009 to 2015, he was an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, ICE, DHS, in Denver. From 2008 to 2009, he was attorney advisor for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice, also in Denver. Judge Herbert is a member of the Colorado Bar.

Howard C. Hom, Immigration Judge, New York City Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Howard C. Hom to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Hom received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctor in 1976from Loyola Law School. In 2018, he served as an administrative law judge (ALJ) for the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. From 2016 to 2018, he was a self-employed attorney specializing in immigration and nationality law. From 2009 to 2016, he was ALJ for the State of California. From 1981 to 2009, he was an attorney in private practice, in Los Angeles. From 1995 to 2008, he was an adjunct professor in immigration law at the Whittier Law School, Los Angeles. From 1976 to 1981, he was a general and trial attorney with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice in Los Angeles. Judge Hom is a member of the State Bar of California.

Natalie B. Huddleston, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Natalie B. Huddleston to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Huddleston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001 and a Juris Doctor in 2004, both from the University of Notre Dame. From 2014 to 2018, she was assistant U.S. attorney in Phoenix. From 2013 to 2014, she was deputy county attorney with the Pinal County Attorney’s Office in Florence, Ariz. From 2008 to 2013, she was assistant attorney general with the Office of the Arizona Attorney General in Phoenix. From 2004 to 2008, she was deputy county attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, also in Phoenix. Judge Huddleston is a member of the State Bar of Arizona.

David C. Koelsch, Immigration Judge, Baltimore Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed David C. Koelsch to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Koelsch earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor in 1994from Catholic University. From 2017 to 2018, he was a supervisory asylum officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Arlington, Va. From 2015 to 2017, he was an appeals officer with

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the Administrative Appeals Office, USCIS, DHS. From 2002 to 2015, he was a professor and director of the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. From 2000 to 2005, he was legal director of Freedom House. From 1998 to 2000, he was associate attorney with Dykema PLLC. From 1996 to 1998, he was associate attorney with Hopkins & Sutter. From 1995 to 1996, he was a law clerk for the Alaska Superior Court. He is a member of the Michigan State Bar.

W. Scott Laragy, Immigration Judge, Oakdale Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed W. Scott Laragy to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Laragy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991 and a Juris Doctor in 1994, both from Loyola University New Orleans. He has served in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps for the U.S. Navy since 1995, first on active duty until 2007, and is currently serving in the reserves. From 2017 to 2018, he was counsel to the director in the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA), Department of Justice (DOJ), in Washington, D.C. From 2012 to 2017, he was legislative counsel for the EOUSA, DOJ. From 2007 to 2012, he was assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Orleans. Judge Laragy is a member of the Louisiana State and the District of Columbia Bars.

Zakia Mahasa, Immigration Judge, Baltimore Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Zakia Mahasa to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Mahasa earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1981from the University of Maryland and a Juris Doctor in 1986 from the University of Maryland, Carey School of Law. From 1997 to 2018, she was magistrate in the Circuit Court for Baltimore. From 1992 to 1994, she was a staff attorney and, from 1994 to1997, she was a supervising attorney, both for the House of Ruth domestic violence legal clinic, also in Baltimore. From 1987 to 1992, she was an attorney with the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland. Judge Mahasa is a member of the Maryland State Bar.

Michael G. McFarland, Immigration Judge, New York City Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Michael G. McFarland to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge McFarland earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004from New York University and a Juris Doctor in 2007from New York University School of Law. From 2011 to 2018, he was assistant chief counsel and then deputy chief counsel for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in New York, N.Y. From 2007 to 2011, he was a staff attorney with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, also in New York, N.Y. Judge McFarland is a member of the New York State Bar.

Patrick M. McKenna, Immigration Judge, Chicago Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Patrick M. McKenna to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge McKenna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998 from DePauw University and a Juris Doctor in 2001 from University of Notre Dame Law School. From 2006 to 2018, he was

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assistant chief counsel and associate legal advisor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Chicago and Washington, D.C. From 2002 to 2006, he was assistant state’s attorney for the Will County State’s Attorney in Joliet, Ill. From 2001 to 2002, he was an associate with Eichorn and Eichorn in Hammond, Ind. Judge McKenna is a member of the Illinois and Indiana State Bars.

Nancy E. Miller, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Nancy E. Miller to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974 from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctor in 1984 from Southwestern University School of Law. From 1998 to 2018, she was attorney and managing partner of Reeves Miller Zhang & Diza in Pasadena, Calif. From 1988 to 1998, she was a solo practitioner in private practice. From 1986 to 1988, she was associate attorney with the Law Office of James LeTourneau. From 1985 to 1986, she was law clerk and associate attorney with the Law Office of Kehrela Hodkinson. Judge Miller is a member of the State Bar of California.

Angela Munson, Immigration Judge, LaSalle Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Angela Munson to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Munson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 from Georgia State University and a Juris Doctor in 1994from Tulane Law School. From 2005 to 2018, she was assistant U.S. attorney with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Georgia. From 2011 to 2012, she was detailed as resident legal advisor to the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. From 1998 to 2005, she was assistant U.S. attorney with the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, Office of the U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Georgia. From 1994 to 1998, she was assistant district attorney with the Office of the Fulton County District Attorney. Judge Munson is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

Jonathan W. Owens, Immigration Judge, Cleveland Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Jonathan W. Owens to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Owens earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1997 from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor in 2005from Michigan State University, Detroit College of Law. From 2014 to 2018, he was an administrative law judge (ALJ) manager, and from 2007 to 2014, he was an ALJ both for the State of Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in Detroit. From 2003 to 2007, he was departmental analyst for the Office of Child Support, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Judge Owens is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Kaarina Salovaara, Immigration Judge, Chicago Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Kaarina Salovaara to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Salovaara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976 from Smith College and a Juris Doctor in 1980from the University of Virginia Law School. From 1991 to 2018, she was an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, Northern District of

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Illinois in Chicago. From 1981 to 1991, she was an associate and later a partner with Jenner & Block, also in Chicago. From 1980 to 1981, she was a clerk for Judge Barbara B. Crabb in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar.

Eric J. Tijerina, Immigration Judge, San Antonio Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Eric J. Tijerina to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Tijerina earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991 from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Business Administration in 1996 from Texas Christian University, and a Juris Doctor in 2006 from St. Mary’s University School of Law. From 2015 to 2018, he was a policy analyst with the Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. From 2014 to 2015, he was associate director, Immigrant Children’s Legal Program, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Arlington, Va. From 2010 to 2014, he was director of legal programs, Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services in San Antonio, Texas. From 2008 to 2010, he was teaching clinical fellow and supervising attorney for the St. Mary’s University School of Law Immigration Clinic in San Antonio, Texas. From 2006 to 2008, he was lead attorney, Legal Orientation Program, Political Asylum Project of Austin, Texas. Judge Tijerina is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

Nelson A. Vargas-Padilla, Immigration Judge, Ulster Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Nelson A. Vargas-Padilla to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Vargas-Padilla earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 from the State University of New York at Albany and a Juris Doctor in 1994from the University at Buffalo School of Law. From 2016 to 2018, he was litigation and national security counsel for the Litigation and National Security Coordination Law Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Washington, D.C. From 2015 to 2016, he was transformation counsel and immigration officer for the Refugee Affairs Division, USCIS, DHS, in Kenya and Malaysia. From 2013 to 2016, he was transformation counsel for the Transformation Law Division, USCIS, DHS, also in Washington, D.C. From 2001 to 2007, he was assistant chief counsel; from 2007 to 2009, he was senior attorney; and from 2009 to 2013, he was deputy chief counsel for the Office of Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS, in Baltimore, Md. From 1996 to 2001, he was attorney advisor for the Board of Immigration Appeals, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice in Falls Church, Va. Judge Vargas-Padilla is a member of the New Jersey State Bar.

Michael G. Walleisa, Immigration Judge, Miami Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Michael G. Walleisa to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Walleisa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and a Juris Doctor in 1985 from Temple University School of Law. From 1989 to 2018, he worked in several roles in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of

Florida in Miami. From 2002 to 2018, he was assistant U.S. attorney with the National Security — more —

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Section. From 1996 to 2002, he was assistant U.S. attorney with the Civil Division. From 1993 to 1996, he was chief of the Narcotics and Violent Crimes Section. From 1992 to 1993, he was chief of the Trial Section. From 1991 to 1992, he was deputy chief of the Major Crimes Section. From 1990 to 1991, he was assistant U.S. attorney with the Organized Crime Section. From 1989 to 1990, he was assistant U.S. attorney with the Appeals/Major Crimes Sections. From 1985 to 1989, he was an attorney with the State Attorney’s Office in Dade County, Fla. Judge Walleisa is a member of the Florida Bar.

George J. Ward Jr., Immigration Judge, Falls Church Immigration Adjudication Center

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed George J. Ward Jr. to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Ward earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from Bucknell University and a Juris Doctor in 1993 from St. John’s University School of Law. From 1999 to 2018, he served in several positions with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in both Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C. From 2012 to 2018, he was deputy chief in the Office of Chief Counsel, ICE, DHS. From 2011 to 2012, he was deputy chief and then chief with the District Court Litigation Division. From 2010 to 2011, he was chief with the District Court Litigation Section. From 2007 to 2010, he was legislative counsel. From 2003 to 2007, he was an associate legal advisor. From 1999 to 2003, he was an assistant district counsel with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice in New York, N.Y. From 1993 to 1999, he was an assistant district attorney with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office in Mineola, N.Y. Judge Ward is a member of the New York and New Jersey State Bars.

Jason R. Waterloo, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Jason R. Waterloo to begin hearing cases in August 2018. Judge Waterloo earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in 2004 from the Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctor in 2007 from the West Virginia University College of Law. From 2014 to 2018, he was an assistant chief counsel for the Office of Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in Los Angeles. From 2008 to 2014, he was an assistant district attorney with the Berks County District Attorney’s Office in Reading, Pa. From 2007 to 2008, he was a judicial law clerk with the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton, Pa. Judge Waterloo is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.

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Communications and Legislative Affairs Division