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Press Release
The Executive Office for Immigration Review will invest 28 new immigration judges today, bringing the immigration judge corps to its highest level in history with more than 465 immigration judges on the bench. Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Claire McCusker Murray will deliver opening remarks and Acting Chief Immigration Judge Christopher A. Santoro will preside over the investiture during a ceremony at the Department of Justice’s Great Hall in the District of Columbia.
After a thorough application process, Attorney General William Barr appointed Susan F. Aikman, Amelia C. Anderson, Dale E. Anderson, Philip A. Barr, Bianca H. Brown, Kevin L. Brown, Brian H. Burke, Jennifer Chung, Miguel A. Cordero-Gonzalez, James J. Crofts, Diane L. Dodd, Sheila E. Gallow, Andrea H. Hong, Lily C. Hsu, Bruce D. Imbacuan, Samia Naseem, David A. Norkin, Christopher V. Phan, Eugene H. Robinson, Marna M. Rusher, Jeremy J. Santoro, John J. Siemietkowski, Rantideva Singh, Philip P. Taylor, Gilda M. Terrazas, Ubaid ul-Haq, Lynn W. Wang, and Matthew H. Watters to their new positions.
Biographical information follows:
Susan F. Aikman, Immigration Judge, Batavia Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Susan F. Aikman to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Aikman earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Ashland University and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from the University of Toledo, College of Law. From 2018 to 2019, she served as a 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 Dilley and Pearsall, Texas. From 2015 to 2018, she served as an assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Pearsall, Texas. From 2005 to 2015, she served as asylum officer, refugee officer, and field office director with Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations (RAIO), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), DHS, in the U.S. and international locations. From 1999 to 2005, she was an associate attorney with the Law Offices of David Goren LLC, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Judge Aikman is a member of the District of Columbia Bar
Amelia C. Anderson, Immigration Judge, Otay Mesa Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Amelia C. Anderson to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor in 2009 from DePaul University College of Law. From 2010 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in San Diego. From 2017 to 2018, she served as a special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, in San Diego. From 2009 to 2010, she served as an attorney advisor at the San Diego Immigration Court, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Department of Justice. Judge Anderson is a member of the Illinois State Bar.
Dale E. Anderson, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Dale E. Anderson to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Anderson earned a Bachelor of Science in 1987 from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Juris Doctor in 1994 from Pepperdine University School of Law, and a Master of Laws in 1997 from the University of San Diego School of Law. From 2016 to 2019, he served as a trial attorney for the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, Department of Justice (DOJ). From 2009 to 2016, and previously from 2002 to 2004, he served as a supervisory attorney advisor and attorney advisor for the Board of Immigration Appeals, Executive Office for Immigration Review, DOJ. From 2000 to 2002, he served as an assistant district counsel with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, DOJ, in Imperial, California. From 2004 to 2009, and previously from 1994 to 2000, he served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Marine Corps at the following locations: Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego; Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia; Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlington, Virginia; Kabul, Afghanistan; and Al Anbar, Iraq. From 1988 to 1991, he served as an intelligence officer for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in El Toro, California, and Tanajib, Saudi Arabia. Judge Anderson is a member of the State Bar of California.
Philip A. Barr, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Philip A. Barr to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Barr earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 from University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor in 2003 from Birmingham School of Law. From 2015 to 2019, he served as an assistant 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 Atlanta. From 2010 to 2015, he served as an assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Port Isabel and San Antonio, Texas. From 2004 to 2010, he was an immigration and criminal defense attorney in private practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Judge Barr is a member of the Alabama State Bar and State Bar of Texas.
Bianca H. Brown, Immigration Judge, Stewart Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Bianca H. Brown to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Brown earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration in 2005 from Florida A&M University, and a Juris Doctor in 2011 from Wake Forest University School of Law. From 2018 to 2019, she served as a 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 Lumpkin, Georgia. From 2011 to 2018, she served as an assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Lumpkin, Georgia. Judge Brown is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and North Carolina State Bar.
Kevin L. Brown, Immigration Judge, Houston, S. Gessner Road Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Kevin L. Brown to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Brown earned a Bachelor of Science in 1993 from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science in 1996 from Grambling State University, a Juris Doctor in 1999 from Wake Forest University School of Law, and a Master of Laws in 2007 from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, U.S. Army. From 2016 to 2019, he served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in San Antonio, Texas. From 1999 to 2016, he served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Army in the following locations: Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Karshi-Khanabad, Uzbekistan; Charlottesville, Virginia; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Tikrit, Iraq; Fort Irwin, California; Suffolk, Virginia; and Fort Sam, Houston, Texas. Judge Brown is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.
Brian H. Burke, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles, Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Brian H. Burke to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Burke earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1989 from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctor in 1992 from the University of Dayton School of Law. From 2017 to 2019, he was the chief judge for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, in California. From 2013 to 2019, he was the chief judge for the Ak-Chin Indian Community, in Maricopa, Arizona. From 2010 to 2013, he was the tribal prosecutor for the Ak-Chin Indian Community, in Maricopa, Arizona. From 2009 to 2010, he was a deputy defense attorney for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, in Scottsdale, Arizona. From 2006 to 2009, he was the managing attorney for Community Legal Services, in Kingman, Arizona. From 2003 to 2006, he was a rights attorney for the Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, in Las Vegas. From 2000 to 2003, he was assistant public defender for the Beaver County Public Defender’s Office, in Beaver, Pennsylvania. From 1999 to 2000, he was a staff attorney for Appalachian Legal Services, in Charleston, West Virginia. From 1992 to 1995, and 1997 to 1998, he served as assistant district attorney for the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office. Judge Burke is a member of the Arizona State Bar and the Pennsylvania State Bar.
Jennifer Chung, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Jennifer Chung to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Chung earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2004 from St. John’s University and a Juris Doctor in 2007 from Hofstra University School of Law. From 2008 to 2019, she worked as a managing attorney at Christophe Law Group P.C., in New York. Judge Chung is a member of the New York State Bar.
Miguel A. Cordero-Gonzalez, Immigration Judge, Houston, S. Gessner Road Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Miguel A. Cordero-Gonzalez to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Cordero-Gonzalez earned a Bachelor of Science in 1990 from the University of Puerto Rico and a Juris Doctor in 1993 from the Pontifical Catholic University School of Law. From 2010 to 2019, he served as a state trial court judge, in Puerto Rico. From 1996 to 2019, he served as a judge advocate for the U.S Army Reserve, in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico and Camp Speicher, Iraq, culminating in a current rank of lieutenant colonel. From 2015 to 2016, he served as a senior defense counsel for the 154th Trial Defense Team, Southeast region in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. From 1995 to 2009, he was in private practice. From 1994 to 1995, he served as an assistant to the secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs Office. Judge Cordero is a member of the State Bar of Puerto Rico.
James J. Crofts, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed James J. Crofts to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Crofts earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 from Boston University and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from St. John’s University School of Law. From 2016 to 2019, he served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Atlanta. From 2000 to 2016, he served as an assistant district attorney with the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, in Bronx, New York. Since 2012, he has also served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Army Reserve. Judge Crofts is a member of the State Bar of New York.
Diane L. Dodd, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Diane L. Dodd to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Dodd earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1982 from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor in 1990 from Lewis and Clark College, Northwestern School of Law. From 2016 to 2019, she served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, Department of Justice, in Minneapolis. From 2010 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. From 1999 to 2010, she served as an assistant district attorney in the District Attorney’s Office, in Brunswick, Georgia. Judge Dodd is a member of the Georgia State Bar.
Sheila E. Gallow, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Sheila E. Gallow to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Gallow earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2003 from Auburn University and a Juris Doctor in 2006 from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law. From 2016 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Atlanta. From 2011 to 2016, she served as the chief assistant district attorney in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. From 2007 to 2011, she served as an assistant attorney general with the Office of Georgia Attorney General, in Atlanta. Since 2012, she has also served as a judge advocate with the U.S. Army Reserves, serving as an administrative law attorney, trial counsel, legal advisor for FEMA Region IV, and brigade judge advocate in the following locations: Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Gordon, Georgia; and Fort Benning, Georgia. Judge Gallow is a member of the State Bar of Georgia.
Andrea H. Hong, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Andrea H. Hong to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Hong earned a Bachelor of Science in 1996 from Case Western Reserve University and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from the University of Akron, School of Law. From 2009 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Los Angeles.
From 2006 to 2009, she served as a deputy district attorney with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, in Riverside, California. From 2001 to 2004, she served as an assistant prosecutor with the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, in Akron, Ohio. From 1999 to 2001, she served as an assistant city prosecutor with the Akron City Prosecutor’s Office, in Akron, Ohio. Judge Hong is a member of the State Bar of California.
Lily C. Hsu, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles North Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Lily C. Hsu to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Hsu earned a Bachelor of Science in 1996 from University of California, Berkeley, and a Juris Doctor in 2000 from California Western School of Law. From 2006 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in Los Angeles. From 2009 to 2011, she served as a special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, in Los Angeles. From 2004 to 2006, she served as an asylum officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS, in Anaheim, California. From 2001 to 2004, she was an associate attorney at Reeves and Associates ALPC. Judge Hsu is a member of the State Bar of California.
Bruce D. Imbacuan, Immigration Judge, Cleveland Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Bruce D. Imbacuan to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Imbacuan earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1994 from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctor in 1998 from Temple University School of Law. From 2007 to 2019, he served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Cleveland. From 2005 to 2007, he served as a housing court magistrate for the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court. From 2002 to 2005, he served as an assistant prosecuting prosecutor with the City of Cleveland’s Prosecutor’s Office. From 1998 to 2002, he was a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Judge Imbacuan is a member of the Ohio State Bar.
Samia Naseem, Immigration Judge, Chicago Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Samia Naseem to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Naseem earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2001 from Simmons College and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from The George Washington University Law School. From 2010 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in New York City and Chicago. From 2007 to 2010, Judge Naseem served as a trial attorney with the Office of Immigration Litigation, Department of Justice, in the District of Columbia. From 2005 to 2007, she served as an attorney at the Law Offices of Khalid Naseem, in Boylston, Massachusetts. From 2004 to 2005, Judge Naseem served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judith N. Macaluso, in the District of Columbia. Judge Naseem is a member of the New York State Bar.
David A. Norkin, Immigration Judge, New York, Varick Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed David A. Norkin to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Norkin earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1995 from Bates College and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from The George Washington University Law School. In 2019, he served as court administrator for the Fishkill, Ulster, and Varick immigration courts. From 1999 to 2016, he served as a judge advocate, defense counsel, prosecutor, special assistant U.S. attorney, and appellate military judge in the following locations: Naval Base San Diego, California; Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan; and Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia. Judge Norkin is a member of the Hawaii State Bar, Maryland State Bar, and New York State Bar.
Christopher V. Phan, Immigration Judge, Sacramento Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Christopher V. Phan to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Phan earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1996 from Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from Southern Illinois University. From 2000 to 2019, he served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Navy in the following locations: Earle, New Jersey; Yokosuka, Japan; San Diego, California; Portsmouth, Virginia; The Pentagon, District of Columbia; Fort Worth, Texas; and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From 2012 to 2016, he served as a city council member, in Garden Grove, California, and as deputy district attorney, in Orange County, California. He is currently a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Judge Phan is a member of the California State Bar, State Bar of Illinois, and State Bar of Texas.
Eugene H. Robinson, Immigration Judge, Imperial Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Eugene H. Robinson Jr. to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Robinson earned a Bachelor of Science in 1987 from University of South Carolina, a Juris Doctor in 1990 from Howard University School of Law, and a Master of Laws in 2002 from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. From 2018 to 2019, he served as the deputy chief for hearings in the State Office of Administrative Hearings for the State of Texas. From 2012 to 2018, he served as a military judge in Okinawa, Japan and Camp Pendleton, California. From 2011 to 2012, he was the staff judge advocate for 3d Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan. From 2005 to 2011, he served as a military judge in the Western Judicial Circuit, Camp Pendleton, California, and as deputy chief trial judge for the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Trial Judiciary at the Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia. From 1991 to 2005, he served a judge advocate in the following locations: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona; 3d Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan; Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans; Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia; and Camp Pendleton, California. Judge Robinson is a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar, District of Columbia Bar, and State Bar of Texas.
Marna M. Rusher, Immigration Judge, Boston Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Marna M. Rusher to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Rusher earned a Bachelor of Science in 1972 from the University of Bridgeport and a Juris Doctor in 2001 from the University of Syracuse, School of Law. From 2007 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Boston. From 2005 to 2007, she was a civil litigation associate for Murphy & Riley P.C. From 2002 to 2005, she served as an assistant district attorney, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Judge Rusher is a member of the Massachusetts State Bar.
Jeremy J. Santoro, Immigration Judge, Cleveland Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Jeremy J. Santoro to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Santoro earned a Bachelor of Science in 1996 from Bowling Green State University and a Juris Doctor in 2001 from the University of Toledo, College of Law. From 2010 to 2019, he served as an assistant 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 Cleveland. From 2009 to 2010, he served as an assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Detroit. From 2006 to 2015, he served as a judge advocate for the Ohio Army National Guard, in Columbus, Ohio. From 2002 to 2009, he served as an assistant prosecutor with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, in Toledo, Ohio. From 2001 to 2002, he was an associate attorney with Faulkner, Garmhausen, Keister & Shenk L.P.A., in Sidney, Ohio. Judge Santoro is a member of the Ohio State Bar.
John J. Siemietkowski, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed John J. Siemietkowski to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Siemietkowski earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1984 from Georgetown University, a Juris Doctor in 1987 from Catholic University, and a Masters of Law in 2000 from the Army Judge Advocate General’s School. From 2002 to November 2019, Judge Siemietkowski worked as a trial attorney at the Commercial Litigation Branch, Department of Justice, in the District of Columbia. From June to December 2018, he served as the U.S. deputy justice attaché to Afghanistan. In 2018, Judge Siemietkowski retired from the Army after a nearly 30-year career as an active duty and reserve JAG attorney. His military career spanned tours as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and trial judge. He taught at the Army JAG School, initially as a professor of Government Contracts & Fiscal Law, and later as a professor of Criminal Law and Trial Advocacy. In his last tour, from October 2016 to September 2017, he served in Kabul as the military coalition’s counter-corruption director. Judge Siemietkowski is a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar, State Bar of Texas, and Virginia State Bar.
Rantideva Singh, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Rantideva Singh to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Singh earned a Bachelor of Science in 2002 from John J. College of Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctor in 2005 from Boston University School of Law. From 2011 to 2019, he served as an administrative law judge with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, in New York City. From 2009 to 2011, he served as a trial attorney with the New York City Administration for Children’s Services in Bronx Family Court. From 2007 to 2009, he served as a supervising attorney with the New York City Department of Homeless Services. From 1997 to 2002, he served as a police officer in the New York City Police Department. Judge Singh is a member of the Connecticut State Bar and New York State Bar.
Philip P. Taylor, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Philip P. Taylor to begin hearing cases in January 2020. 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 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 at Webb, Carlock, Copeland, Semler & Star; Hopkins & Taylor L.L.P.; and The Taylor Firm P.C. Judge Taylor is member of the Georgia State Bar.
Gilda M. Terrazas, Immigration Judge, Sacramento Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Gilda M. Terrazas to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Terrazas earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1976 and a Master of Arts in 1982, both from The University of Arizona, and a Juris Doctor in 1988 from The University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law. From 2010 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. From 2008 to 2010, she served as a public defender in Cochise County, Arizona. From 1995 to 2008, she served as a municipal and tribal court judge, in Tucson, Arizona. From 1988 to 1995, she was in private practice in civil and criminal litigation. Judge Terrazas is a member of the State Bar of Arizona.
Ubaid ul-Haq, Immigration Judge, Ulster Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Ubaid ul-Haq to begin hearing cases in January 2020. 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. 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, Civil Division, DOJ. Since 2016, he has also served as a judge advocate with the U.S. Army Reserve, in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2014, he served as an associate legal advisor, Executive Communications Unit, Office of Chief Counsel (OCC), 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 State Bar.
Lynn W. Wang, Immigration Judge, Houston Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Lynn W. Wang to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Wang earned a Bachelor of Science in 1995 from University of Houston and a Juris Doctor in 2000 from South Texas College of Law. From 2018 to 2019, she served as an assistant chief counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in San Antonio. From 2015 to 2018, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, in McAllen, Texas. From 2007 to 2015, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From 2004 to 2006, she served as an assistant district attorney for the State of New Mexico. From 2001 to 2004, she was in private practice. Judge Wang is a member of the New Mexico State Bar and Texas State Bar.
Matthew H. Watters, Immigration Judge, York Immigration Court
Attorney General Barr appointed Matthew H. Watters to begin hearing cases in January 2020. Judge Watters earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1999 from Canisius College and a Juris Doctor in 2002 from Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law. He currently serves as a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve and as a deputy commander in the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command. From 2010 to 2019, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney and supervisory assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of Texas, culminating as chief of the Del Rio Division. From 2003 to 2010, Judge Watters served as a judge advocate for the U.S. Army in the following locations: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Camp Stanley, Republic of Korea; Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Parwan and Kandahar, Afghanistan; and Tikrit, Iraq. Judge Watters is a member of the Pennsylvania State Bar.