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Organization Chart

Office of the Chief Immigration Judge

The Office of the Chief Immigration Judge (OCIJ) is led by the Chief Immigration Judge, who establishes operating policies and oversees policy implementation for the immigration courts. OCIJ provides overall program direction and establishes priorities for approximately 700 immigration judges located in 71 immigration courts and three adjudications centers throughout the Nation.

OCIJ Leadership

Anna C. Little was appointed as Acting Chief Immigration Judge in May 2025. Judge Little earned a Business Certificate in 1988 from Sophia University Tokyo Japan, a Bachelor of Arts in 1989 from Seton Hall University, and a Juris Doctor in 1992 from Seton Hall University School of Law. From 2022 to May 2025, Judge Little served as an Immigration Judge at the New York – Federal Plaza Immigration Court. From 2021 to late 2022, Judge Little served as the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge at the New York – Federal Plaza Immigration Court. From 2019 to 2021, Judge Little served as an Immigration Judge at the San Francisco Immigration Court. From 1994 to 2018, she was a solo practitioner in Highlands, New Jersey. From 2008 to 2010, she served as mayor of Highlands. From 2006 to 2007, she served as freeholder, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Judge Little is a member of the New Jersey State Bar and the Pennsylvania Bar.

 

Kevin Riley was appointed as an Acting Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge in February 2025. Judge Riley earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1992 from the University of Oregon, a Juris Doctor in 1995 from UCLA School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration in 2005 from California State University. In January 2025, he served as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge. From 2021 to 2025, he served as an Immigration Judge for the Los Angeles – Van Nuys Immigration Court. From 2020 to 2021, he served as an Appellate Immigration Judge for the Board of Immigration Appeals. From 2009 to 2020, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles – Olive Street Immigration Court. From 2004 to 2009, Judge Riley served as deputy chief counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Los Angeles. From 2003 to 2004, he served as an assistant chief counsel for ICE in Los Angeles. From 1995 to 2003, he served as an assistant district counsel for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service in Los Angeles. In 1994, he served as a law clerk for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Las Vegas. Judge Riley is a member of the State Bar of California.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Philip P. Taylor was appointed as an Acting Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge in April 2025. Judge Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1986 from LeMoyne College, a Juris Doctor in 1989 from Emory University School of Law, a Master of Judicial Studies in 2007 from University of Nevada, Reno, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Judicial Studies in 2012 from University of Nevada, Reno. From December 2019 to April 2025, Judge Taylor served as an Immigration Judge at the Atlanta – Peachtree Street Immigration Court. From 2000 to 2019, Judge Taylor served as chief municipal judge for the City of Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, and Woodstock, Georgia. From 1996 to 2016, Judge Taylor served as magistrate judge in Cobb County, Georgia. From 1989 to 2012, he was in private practice. Judge Taylor is member of the Georgia State Bar.

Assistant Chief Immigration Judges

E. Mark Barcus was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in October 2020. Judge Barcus earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 from Austin College and a Juris Doctor in 1988 from the University of Texas School of Law. From 2017 to 2020, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Dallas and Imperial immigration courts. From 2016 to 2017, he served as interim executive director of Iron Gate in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From 2015 to 2016, he was a conflict consultant for Concord Consultants Inc. From 2012 to 2015, he was a district judge for the Tulsa County District Court. From 2003 to 2012, he was a special judge for the State of Oklahoma, Tulsa County District Court. From 2000 to 2003, he served as the first family court referee for Tulsa County. Judge Barcus is a member of the Oklahoma State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

David Cheng was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in April 2020. Judge Cheng earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1992 from the State University of New York at Albany and a Juris Doctor in 1997 from St. John’s University School of Law. From 2017 to 2020, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Newark Immigration Court. From 2007 to 2017, he served as a senior attorney, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Newark, New Jersey. From 2002 to 2007, he served as an assistant chief counsel, OCC, ICE, DHS, in Newark. From 2000 to 2002, he served as an administrative law judge for the New York City Department of Finance. From 1997 to 2000, he was a general partner at Cheng and Cheng, PC, in New York, New York. Judge Cheng is a member of the New York State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Jamee E. Comans was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2023. Judge Comans earned a Bachelor of Science in 2005 from St. Leo University and a Juris Doctorate in 2008 from Mississippi College School of Law. From 2021 to 2022, she served as an Immigration Judge at the LaSalle Immigration Court. From 2018 to 2021, she served as Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Jena and Oakdale, Louisiana. From 2012 to 2018, she served as an Assistant Chief Counsel, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Memphis. From 2009 to 2012, she was an Associate Attorney with the Law Offices of Matt Greenbaum LLP in New Orleans. From 2001 to 2022, she served in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Judge Comans is a member of the Mississippi Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Claudia R. Cubas was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in March 2024. Judge Cubas earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, Texas  and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. From 2022 to 2024, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Hyattsville Immigration Court. From 2018 to 2022, she was the Litigation Director at the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights (CAIR) Coalition in the District of Columbia. She held the following roles at the CAIR Coalition: from 2016 to 2018, Senior Program Director; from 2014 to 2016, Program Director; from 2013 to 2014, Supervising Attorney for the Legal Orientation Program; and from 2011 to 2012, Staff Attorney. From 2009 to 2011, she was an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at the Central American Resource Center, in the District of Columbia. From 2008 to 2009, she was an Attorney in private practice. Judge Cubas is a member of the Maryland State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Benjamin J. Davey was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in August 2024. Judge Davey earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2002 from Otterbein University and a Juris Doctor in 2006 from Cleveland State University College of Law. From 2023 to 2024, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Detroit Immigration Court. From 2013 to 2023, he served as a magistrate in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Division in Elyria, Ohio. During this time, from 2022 to 2023, he provided pro bono legal services through Catholic Charities, assisting individuals seeking affirmative asylum before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security. From 2007 to 2013, he served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Lorain County, Ohio. From 2011 to 2013, Judge Davey also served as counsel for the Lorain County General Health District.  Judge Davey is a member of the Ohio State Bar.  

ACIJ Assignment(s):

 
 

Michael P. Davis was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2025. Judge Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1997 from John Carroll University and a Juris Doctor in 2000 from the University of Illinois College of Law. From 2022 to 2025, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Sterling Immigration Court. From 2016 to 2022, he served as the Executive Deputy Principal Legal Advisor, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From 2012 to 2016, he served as Deputy Principal Legal Advisor for Enforcement and Litigation, ICE, DHS. From 2005 to 2012, he held the following roles at ICE: Appellate Counsel (2005-2007); Deputy Chief (2007-2009); and Chief of the ICE Immigration Law and Practice Division (2009-2012). From 2003 to 2005, he served as Associate Counsel, Refugee and Asylum Law Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.  From 2000 to 2003, he served as an assistant district counsel with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service in Los Angeles, entering on duty through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. Judge Davis is a member of the California State Bar. 

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Eric L. Dillow was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in March 2019. Judge Dillow earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1986 from the University of Illinois, a Juris Doctor in 1990 from the University of Nebraska College of Law, and a Master of Urban Planning in 1992 from the University of Illinois. From 2012 to 2018, he served as a veteran advocate and veteran’s treatment court mentor trainer for the Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court, Omaha, Nebraska, and the Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Court, Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2012, he retired as a colonel and judge advocate from the U.S. Air Force. From 1990 to 2012, he served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Air Force in the following locations: Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; Travis Air Force Base, California; Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait; HQ, AIRSOUTH, Naples, Italy; Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington; Yokota Air Base, Japan; Task Force 134, Baghdad, Iraq; Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Judge Dillow is a member of the Nebraska State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Robert P. Driscoll was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2025. Judge Driscoll earned a Bachelor of Science in 1984 from Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor in 1993 from Capital University Law School. From 2020 to 2025, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Batavia Immigration Court. From 1998 to 2020, he served as an assistant attorney for the Athens County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in Athens, Ohio. From 1993 to 1998, he was in private practice in Columbus, Ohio. Judge Driscoll is a member of the Ohio State Bar. 

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Irene C. Feldman was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in November 2015. Judge Feldman received a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 from Mount Holyoke College, a Juris Doctor in 1988 from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and a Master of Science in 1995 from Boston University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Israel. From 2008 to 2015, Judge Feldman served as an Immigration Judge at the Eloy Immigration Court. From 2001 to 2008, Judge Feldman served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Arizona and in Puerto Rico. From 1996 to 2001, Judge Feldman worked as an assistant district counsel, Office of the District Counsel, for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, in New Jersey and New York. From 1989 to 1994, Judge Feldman served as an assistant prosecutor in the Office of the County Prosecutor, Bergen County, New Jersey. Judge Feldman is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, and the New Jersey State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Ayodele Gansallo was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in August 2024. Judge Gansallo earned a Bachelor of Laws in 1985 from Leicester University in England. From 1985 to 1986, she attended the Guildford College of Law and successfully completed the legal qualification program for solicitors. She qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 1988 and earned a Master of Laws in 1998 from Temple University, James E. Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. From 2022 to 2024, Judge Gansallo served as an Immigration Judge at the Hyattsville Immigration Court. From 2021 to 2022, she was the Co-Director of Legal Services with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Pennsylvania (HIAS PA), in Philadelphia. From 1998 to 2020, she was the Senior Staff Attorney with HIAS PA. From 1994 to 1997, she was the Legal Director and Policy Coordinator with The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants in London. From 1992 to 1994, she was a Solicitor with the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit in Manchester, England. From 1988 to 1989, she was a Solicitor with Michael Freeman and Co in London. From 1987 to 1988, she was a trainee Solicitor with the London Borough of Islington in London. From 2010 to 2021, Judge Gansallo was an Adjunct Professor in Law and Clinical Supervisor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Judge Gansallo is a member of the New York State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

 
 

Melissa Joy Garcia was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in October 2020. Judge Garcia earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1995 from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Juris Doctorate in 2001 from St. Mary’s University School of Law. From 2018 to 2020, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Harlingen Immigration Court. From 2015 to 2018, she served as an associate district court judge in Laredo, Webb County, Texas. In 2014, she was appointed to serve as justice of the peace, Precinct 2, Place 2, for Webb County, Texas. From 2008 to 2014, she served as an assistant public defender in Webb County. In 2008, she served as an assistant city attorney for Laredo, Texas. From 2004 to 2008, she was in private practice. From 2001 to 2004, she served as a federal public defender for the Laredo Division, Southern District of Texas. Judge Garcia is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Renae M. Hansell was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in April 2020. Judge Hansell earned a Bachelor of Science in 2000 from Armstrong Atlantic State University and a Juris Doctor in 2003 from Georgia State University College of Law. From 2018 to 2020, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Memphis Immigration Court. From 2003 to 2018, she served as a law clerk, senior attorney, assistant chief counsel, and deputy chief counsel with the Office of the Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Atlanta and Memphis, Tennessee. Judge Hansell is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Jonathan W. Hitesman was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in June 2020. Judge Hitesman earned a Bachelor of Science in 1990 from Norwich University, a Juris Doctor in 1997 from the University of Hawaii, and a Master of Laws in 2004 from the Georgetown University Law Center. From 1990 to 2020, he served on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, first as an infantry officer and later as a judge advocate. In 2020, he retired as a senior appellate military judge with the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals. Judge Hitesman is a member of the Hawaii State Bar, and the Minnesota State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Theresa Holmes-Simmons was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in August 2019. Judge Holmes-Simmons received a Bachelor of Arts in 1985 from Brooklyn College, City University of New York, and a Juris Doctorate in 1988 from Rutgers University School of Law. From October 2008 to August 2019, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Charlotte Immigration Court. From 1998 to October 2008, Judge Holmes-Simmons served as an Immigration Judge at the New York City Immigration Court. From 1996 to 1998, she served as an assistant district counsel for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), in New York. From 1994 to 1996, Judge Holmes-Simmons worked as a special prosecutor and assistant attorney general, New York State Attorney General’s Office. From 1988 to 1994, she served as an assistant district attorney with the New York County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Holmes-Simons is a member of the New Jersey State Bar, and New York State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Matthew W. Kaufman was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in February 2019. Judge Kaufman received a Bachelor of Arts in 1998 from the University of Arizona and a Juris Doctor in 2002 from Arizona State University College of Law. From June 2018 to February 2019, he was an Immigration Judge at the Denver Immigration Court. From May 2015 to June of 2018, he was an Immigration Judge at the Memphis Immigration Court. From September 2006 to May 2015, Judge Kaufman served as Assistant Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Tucson, Arizona. From August 2009 to May of 2015, he was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Senior Attorney. From September 2006 to August of 2009, he was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Assistant Chief Counsel. From 2004 to 2006, he served as an attorney, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, DHS. From 2003 to 2004, Judge Kaufman served as assistant attorney general for the Washington State Office of the Attorney General in Yakima. From 2002 to 2003, he worked as an attorney for Cetrus Consulting Group, in Seattle. Judge Kaufman is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, State Bar of California, and the Washington State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Amiena Khan was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in October 2023. Judge Khan earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1983 from New York University Washington Square College of Arts and Science and a Juris Doctorate in 1987 from the New York Law School. From October 2015 to October 2023, she served as an Immigration Judge at the New York – Federal Plaza Immigration Court, and from December 2010 to October 2015, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Newark Immigration Court. From 1992 to December 2010, she was in private practice in New York, specializing in immigration law. From 1987 to 1992, she practiced in New York with a focus in civil litigation. From 2021 to 2023, Judge Khan served as an adjunct professor of Immigration Law at New York Law School. Judge Khan is a member of the New York State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Daniel P. Kinnicutt was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in April 2020. Judge Kinnicutt earned a Bachelor of Science in 1989 from Pepperdine University and a Juris Doctor in 1994 from Seattle University School of Law. From 2018 to 2020, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Louisville Immigration Court. From 2005 to 2018, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, Department of Justice (DOJ), in Louisville, Kentucky. From 2003 to 2005, he served as the chief assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, DOJ, in Del Rio, Texas. In 2003, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, DOJ, in Tucson, Arizona. From 1999 to 2003, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, DOJ, in Del Rio. From 1994 to 1999, he served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, in Tacoma, Washington. Judge Kinnicutt is a member of the Washington State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Joy Lampley-Fortson was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in March 2019. Judge Lampley-Fortson earned a Bachelor of Science in 1992 from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor in 1996 from the University of Florida College of Law. From 2017 to 2019, she served as the executive director of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity by appointment of the governor. From 2007 to 2017, she served as a trial attorney/assistant chief counsel with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Atlanta. From 2001 to 2007, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Department of Justice. From 1997 to 2001, she served as an assistant solicitor with the Office of the City Solicitor in Atlanta. Judge Lampley-Fortson is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Loi L. McCleskey was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in August 2024. Judge McCleskey earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1996 from Capital University and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from Capital University Law School. From 2021 to 2024, she served as an Immigration Judge at the San Francisco Immigration Court. From 2013 to 2021, she served as an Administrative Hearing Officer Supervisor; from 2011 to 2013, Senior Administrative Hearing Officer; and from 2003 to 2011, Administrative Hearing Officer for the State of Ohio in Columbus. From 2000 to 2003, she was in private practice in Columbus. Judge McCleskey is a member of the Ohio State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

 

Tara Naselow-Nahas was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in August 2021. Judge Naselow-Nahas earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1989 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctorate in 1992 from Whittier School of Law. From December 2019 to July 2021, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles – Van Nuys Boulevard Immigration Court. From October 2017 to December 2019, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles – N. Los Angeles Street Immigration Court. From November 2009 to October 2017, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles – Olive Street Immigration Court. From 2004 to 2009, she served as Deputy Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Los Angeles. From 2003 to 2004, she served as Assistant Chief Counsel, ICE, DHS, and from 1995 to 2003, she served as an Assistant Chief Counsel for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service. From 1992 to 1995, she worked as a Judicial Law Clerk at the U.S. District Court, in Los Angeles. Judge Naselow-Nahas is a member of the State Bar of California.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Julie Nelson was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in October 2023. Judge Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2003 from Biola University and a Juris Doctor in 2006 from California Western School of Law. From February 2017 to October 2023, she served as an Immigration Judge at the San Francisco Immigration Court.  From December 2014 to January 2017, and previously from 2009 through May 2014, she served as an assistant chief counsel for the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Eloy, Arizona. From June 2014 to November 2014, she served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Steven P. Logan, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. From 2008 through 2009, she served as an attorney advisor for the Los Angeles Immigration Court. From 2007 through 2008, she served as a judicial law clerk for the San Diego Immigration Court entering on duty through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. From 2007 through 2009, she served on the faculty of Biola University as an adjunct professor. Judge Nelson is a member of the State Bar of California.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Matthew J. O'Brien was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in May 2025. Judge O'Brien earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 from the Johns Hopkins University, a Juris Doctor in 1995 from the University of Maine School of Law, a Master of Arts in 2018 from the Institute of World Politics, and a doctorate in 2025 from the Institute of World Politics. From 2022 to 2025, he served as the Director of Investigations at the Immigration Reform Law Institute. From 2020 to 2022, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Arlington Immigration Court (now the Annandale Immigration Court). From 2016 to 2020, he served as the director of research at the Federation for American Immigration Reform. From 2014 to 2016, he served as a supervisory immigration officer, Headquarters Component, Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Washington, D.C. From 2011 to 2014, he served as a senior advisor to USCIS Ombudsman, DHS, in Washington, D.C. From 2008 to 2011, he served as supervisory policy analyst, Headquarters, FDNS, USCIS, DHS, in Washington, D.C. From 2003 to 2008, he served as assistant chief counsel, Institutional Hearing Program, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, DHS, in New York. From 1997 to 2003, he was in private practice in Boston and New York. From 1996 to 1997, he served as a district adjudications officer with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice. Judge O'Brien is a member of the Massachusetts State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Anne Kristina Perry was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in April 2020. Judge Perry earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1978 from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Juris Doctor in 1981 from the Loyola Law School. From 2019 to 2020, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Imperial Immigration Court. From 2018 to 2019, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles Immigration Court. From 1991 to 2018, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California in San Diego. From 1987 to 1991, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. From 1983 to 1987, she was a deputy attorney general with the State of Nevada. From 1982 to 1983, she was a deputy district attorney in Clark County, Nevada. Judge Perry is a member of the State Bar of California, and State Bar of Nevada. 

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Jennifer I. Peyton was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2022. Judge Peyton earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Trinity College and a Juris Doctor in 1998 from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. From 2016 to 2021, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Chicago Immigration Court. From 2003 to 2016, she was in private practice as managing partner of Jennifer I. Peyton, Attorney at Law LLC, in Cleveland. In 2013, she joined the faculty of the Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, where she served as an adjunct clinical professor, and in 2006 she joined the faculty of the Case Western University School of Law, where she served as an adjunct professor. Judge Peyton is a member of the Ohio State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Rodin Rooyani was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2016. Judge Rooyani received a Bachelor of Arts in 1995 from George Mason University and a Juris Doctor in 1998 from the University of Maryland School of Law. From April 2009 to January 2016, she served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles Immigration Court. From November 2004 to April 2009, Judge Rooyani served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the National Security Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. From 1998 to 2004, she served as a trial attorney with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service and as an assistant chief counsel with the Department of Homeland Security entering on duty through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. Judge Rooyani is a member of the State Bar of California, and Maryland State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Jayme Salinardi was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in October 2023. Judge Salinardi earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. From June 2016 to October 2023, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Kansas City Immigration Court. From 2012 to May 2016, he served as a deputy chief counsel for the Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From 2003 through 2012, he served as an assistant chief counsel and senior attorney for OCC, ICE, DHS. From 2000 through 2003, Judge Salinardi was an immigration attorney for Fallon, Bixby, Cheng & Lee, in San Francisco. From 2011 to 2013, Judge Salinardi served an adjunct professor of Immigration Law at the University of Missouri School of Law. Judge Salinardi is a member of the State Bar of California.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Theresa M. Scala was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in November 2017. Judge Scala received a Bachelor of Science in 1986 from Ithaca College and a Juris Doctor in 1992 from Nova Southeastern University Law Center. From 2010 to 2017, Judge Scala served as an Immigration Judge at the Tacoma Immigration Court. From 1994 to 2010, she served as an assistant chief counsel and deputy chief counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in Miami and Orlando, Florida. Judge Scala began her legal career with the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Miami, Florida, where she served as attorney advisor and Judicial Law Clerk from 1992 to 1994. Judge Scala is a member of the Florida Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Elisa M. Sukkar was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in April 2008. Judge Sukkar received a Bachelor of Science in 1983 from Florida International University and a Juris Doctor in 1987 from Nova Law School. From March 1995 to April 2008, Judge Sukkar served as an Immigration Judge at the Miami Immigration Court. From 1987 to 1995, she was in private practice in Miami, specializing in immigration law. Judge Sukkar is a member of the Florida Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Khalilah M. Taylor was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in March 2020. Judge Taylor earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1998 from Temple University and a Juris Doctor in 2001 from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. From 2016 to 2020, she served as an assistant chief counsel and deputy chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in New York. From July 2024 to March 2025, she served as an Acting Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, based in New York. From 2014 to 2016, she served as an associate counsel with the Refugee and Asylum Law Division, Office of the Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS, in Rosedale, New York. From 2002 to 2014, she served as an assistant district counsel/assistant chief counsel, senior attorney, and deputy chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in New York. From 2001 to 2002, she served as a Judicial Law Clerk at the Newark Immigration Court. Judge Taylor is a member of the New York State Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Ubaid ul-Haq was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in April 2021. Judge Haq earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from the University of Virginia, a Juris Doctor in 2010 from Nova Southeastern University, and a Master of Laws in 2011 from American University Washington College of Law. From January 2020 to April 2021, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Ulster Immigration Court. In 2019, he served as a Trial Attorney with the Office of Immigration Litigation’s (OIL) Appellate Court Section, Civil Division, Department of Justice (DOJ), in the District of Columbia. From 2014 to 2019, he served as a Trial Attorney with OIL’s District Court Section, and Training Coordinator from 2017 to 2019. Since 2016, he has also served as a Judge Advocate with the U.S. Army Reserve, in Alexandria, Virginia, and has worked in various other capacities in the Army Reserve since 2005. In 2014, he served as an Associate Legal Advisor, Executive Communications Unit, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in the District of Columbia. From 2011 to 2014, he served as an Assistant Chief Counsel, OPLA-San Antonio, ICE, DHS, in Pearsall, Texas. Judge Haq is a member of the Florida Bar.

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Judge Jason R. Waterloo was appointed as an Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in January 2025. 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 2021 to 2025, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Santa Ana Immigration Court. From 2018 to 2021, he served as an Immigration Judge at the Los Angeles – Olive Street Immigration Court. From 2014 to 2018, he served as an Assistant Chief Counsel for the Office of Chief Counsel, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in Los Angeles. From 2008 to 2014, he served as an assistant district attorney with the Berks County District Attorney’s Office in Reading, Pennsylvania. From 2007 to 2008, he served as a judicial law clerk with the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas in Easton, Pennsylvania. Judge Waterloo is a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar. 

ACIJ Assignment(s):

Updated May 30, 2025