January 2020 Visa Bulletin

Introduction

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published its monthly immigrant visa bulletin for January 2020 on December 9, 2019 [PDF version]. The Visa Bulletin for January 2020 contains information on when beneficiaries of approved family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant visa preference petitions will be eligible for immigrant visas based on their priority dates. On December 20, 2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determined that beneficiaries of approved immigrant visa petitions in both the family-sponsored and employment-based preferences must use the more favorable “dates for filing” charts from the Visa Bulletin for January 2020 to determine if they are eligible to apply for adjustment of status during the month (with limited exceptions that we will discuss below) [PDF version].

We will review the Visa Bulletin for January 2020 and its particular application to those planning to apply for adjustment of status in this article. We discuss using the immigrant visa bulletin in a separate post [see article]. We also have articles on the difference between the visa bulletin's charts for final action dates and filing dates [see blog] and a compendium of our past articles on monthly visa bulletins [see index].

Family-Sponsored Cases

The USCIS determined that beneficiaries of approved family-sponsored immigrant visa petitions in the F1, F2B, F3, and F4 preferences must use the dates for filing charts from the Visa Bulletin for January 2020 to determine eligibility for adjustment of status during the month. Beneficiaries of approved petitions in the F2A preference must use the final action dates. As we will see, this decision favors beneficiaries of F2A preference petitions.

As an initial matter, the beneficiary of an approved preference petition must be otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status — in accordance with section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and its implementing regulations — to seek adjustment from within the United States. Individuals who do not meet the general adjustment criteria must instead apply for a visa abroad at the appropriate U.S. consulate.

The beneficiary of an approved family-sponsored preference petition who is otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status must compare his or her priority date to the applicable filing date (or in the case of F2A — final action date) cutoff for his or her preference category and chargeability area (country). If the applicant's priority date is before the applicable filing or final action date cutoff on the visa bulletin, he or she may apply for adjustment of status in January 2020. The priority date in family-sponsored cases is generally the date on which the immigrant visa petition was properly filed with the USCIS on the beneficiary's behalf.

The final action dates for F2A cases [see here].

“C” stands for “current” on the visa bulletin. Because the final action date for the F2A preference in all chargeability areas is current for January 2020, the beneficiary of an approved petition in this preference may apply for adjustment in January 2020 regardless of his or her priority date — provided that he or she is otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status.

The dates for filing for non-F2A cases [see here].

For reference purposes only, the filing date for F2A cases is November 1, 2019, in all chargeability areas. The filing date is worth monitoring since the F2A final action date is unlikely to remain current in perpetuity. However, the F2A filing date remains close enough to being current that there is almost no daylight between it and the slightly more favorable final action date.

The final action dates for all family-sponsored cases [see here].

Adjustment applicants outside of the F2A preference need not concern themselves with the final action dates in January 2020. The final action dates do represent for DOS the dates on which a visa may actually be granted. The final action dates may also give those seeking immigrant visas through consular processing abroad an idea of when their applications may proceed.

Employment-Based Cases

The USCIS determined that most beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions must use the dates for filing charts from the Visa Bulletin for January 2020 to determine eligibility for adjustment of status during the month. Certain third preference and other workers cases must instead use the final action dates. However, like the F2A exception in the family-sponsored cases (see above), these exceptions work to the benefit of applicants.

As an initial matter, the beneficiary of an approved preference petition must be otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status — in accordance with section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and its implementing regulations — to seek adjustment from within the United States. Individuals who do not meet the general adjustment criteria must instead apply for a visa abroad at the appropriate U.S. consulate.

The beneficiary of an approved employment-based preference petition who is otherwise eligible to apply for adjustment of status must compare his or her priority date to the applicable filing date cutoff (or in the case of certain E3 and other workers cases — final action date cutoff) for his or her preference category and chargeability area (country). If the applicant's priority date is before the applicable filing or final action date cutoff on the visa bulletin, he or she may apply for adjustment of status in January 2020. The priority date in the employment-based petition context usually depends on whether labor certification was a petition prerequisite. In cases where labor certification was required, the beneficiary's priority date is generally the date on which the labor certification application was accepted for processing by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). In cases where labor certification was not required, the priority date will generally be the date on which the petition was properly filed with the USCIS on the beneficiary's behalf.

The final action dates for EB3 and Other Workers cases [see here].

Beneficiaries of approved E3 and Other Workers petitions who are not from China, India, or the Philippines must use the final action dates from the Visa Bulletin for January 2020 to determine whether they are eligible to apply for adjustment of status during the month. Beneficiaries of petitions in these categories from China, India, or the Philippines must use the dates for filing, which you will find in the next chart. Because the applicable final action dates are current, beneficiaries of E3 and Other Workers petitions who are not from China, India, or the Philippines may apply for adjustment in January 2020 regardless of their priority dates, provided that they are otherwise eligible for adjustment.

For reference purposes, the following are the final action dates for E3 China, India, and the Philippines:

• China: March 1, 2017
• India: July 1, 2009
• Philippines: January 1, 2019

For reference purposes, the following are the final action dates for Other Workers China, India, and the Philippines:

• China: August 1, 2008
• India: February 1, 2010
• Philippines: January 1, 2019

Although adjustment applicants from China, India, and the Philippines must use the dates for filing for adjustment purposes in January 2020, the final action dates are worth monitoring for subsequent months where that will not be the case.

The dates for filing for all employment-based cases except Worldwide, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Vietnam E3 and Other Workers cases [see here].

With the exception of the six cases noted in the previous section, all employment-based beneficiaries must rely on the dates for filing for adjustment purposes in January 2020. The beneficiary of an approved petition in a category for which the filing date is current may apply for adjustment regardless of his or her priority date, provided that he or she is otherwise eligible for adjustment.

For reference purposes only, below are the E3 filing dates not listed here for chargeability areas that must instead use the final action dates:

• Worldwide: January 1, 2019
• El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras: January 1, 2019
• Mexico: January 1, 2019

For reference purposes only, below are the Other Workers filing dates not listed here for chargeability areas that must instead use the final action dates:

• Worldwide: January 1, 2019
• El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras: January 1, 2019
• Mexico: January 1, 2019

Because the final action dates in these categories are current, the USCIS's decision to require applicants in these categories to consult the final action dates rather than the filing dates works to their benefit. The filing dates are worth monitoring, however, since the USCIS may determine that they must be consulted in future months.

The final action dates for employment-based cases [see here].

Adjustment applicants outside of F3/Other Workers China, India, and Philippines do not need to refer to the final action dates for the employment-based preferences in January 2020. The final action dates do represent for DOS the dates on which a visa may actually be granted. The final action dates may also give those seeking immigrant visas through consular processing abroad an idea of when their applications may proceed.

Projected Visa Availability in the Coming Months

The DOS provided projections for visa ability in the coming months in the Visa Bulletin. The projections are for potential forward movement in the final action dates.

Potential monthly movement in family-sponsored categories:

• Worldwide F1: Up to six weeks
• Worldwide F2A: Final action date established
• Worldwide F2B: Up to three weeks
• Worldwide F3: One to three weeks
• Worldwide F4: Once final action date retrogession occurs, that date is likely to be held for a period of time

Potential monthly movement in the Employment First category:

• Worldwide: Rapid forward movement expected, possibly becoming current within three weeks of December 9, 2019
• China: Up to three weeks
• India: Little if any forward movement expected

Potential monthly movement in the Employment Second category:

• Worldwide: A final action date will likely be imposed at some point in the second half of FY 2020
• China: Up to one month
• India: Up to one week

Potential monthly movement in the Employment Third category:

• Worldwide: Final action date will likely be imposed no later than March
• China: Up to six weeks
• India: Up to three weeks
• Mexico: Will remain at the worldwide date
• Philippines: Up to one month

Potential monthly movement in the Employment Third — Other Workers category:

• Worldwide: Final action date likely to be established no later than March

Potential monthly movement in the Employment Fourth category:

• Most countries: Will remain current
• El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras: Little if any movement expected through May
• India: Final action date will likely be imposed no later than July
• Mexico: Limited forward movement

Potential movement in the Employment Fifth category:

• Most countries: Will remain current
• China: It may be possible to advance the date at a slightly faster pace than has been seen in recent months
• India: Likely to advance at a very rapid pace until the level of demand for visa numbers increases
• Vietnam: Limited forward movement

The DOS noted that the foregoing projections are only projections, and what actually happens regarding date progression may be different than the DOS predicted in the Visa Bulletin for January 2020.

Conclusion

Beneficiaries of approved immigrant visa petitions in the preference category should stay abreast of developments in the monthly visa bulletins. This is especially important for those who plan to apply for adjustment of status. Petitioners and beneficiaries may consult with an experienced immigration attorney for case specific guidance on how to navigate the path to lawful permanent resident status.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

EOIR Opens Houston - S. Gessner Road Immigration Court

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced that it will open a third immigration court in Houston, Texas, on January 6, 2019 [PDF version]. The new immigration court will be the Houston — S. Gessner Road Immigration Court. It joins the Houston — Smith Street Immigration Court and the Houston Annex — Smith Street Immigration Court. We covered some of the new immigration judges who will serve on the Houston — S. Gessner Road Immigration Court in a separate post [see article].

Its contact information is as follows:

Houston — S. Gessner Road Immigration Court

8701 S. Gessner Road, 10th Floor

Houston, TX 77074

8 AM-4 PM, Monday through Friday

713-995-3909

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

EOIR Opens Los Angeles - Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) opened a new immigration court in Los Angeles on December 9, 2019 [PDF version]. The new Los Angeles — Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court will cover Kern, San Luis Obsipo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. It joins two existing immigration courts in Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Immigration Court and the Los Angeles North Immigration Court.

We cover the first batch of immigration judges appointed to begin service on the Los Angeles — Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court in a separate article [see article].

The following is the contact information for the Los Angeles — Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court:

Location:

Los Angeles — Van Nuys Blvd.

6230 Van Nuys Blvd. 3rd Floor, Suite 300

Van Nuys, CA 91401

Hours of Operation:

7:30 AM-4 PM, Monday through Friday

Telephone:

818-904-5200

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com

EOIR Swears in 28 New Immigration Judges on Oct. 20, 2019

Introduction

On December 20, 2019, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) invested 28 new immigration judges in a ceremony presided over by Acting Chief Immigration Judge Christopher A. Santoro [PDF version]. The 28 new immigration judges were selected by Attorney General William P. Barr. The EOIR noted that the immigration judge corps — now numbering over 465 — is at its largest size in history.

In this article, we will briefly examine the biographies of the 28 new immigration judges, sorted by the courts on which they serve. Please see our index of posts on new immigration judges to read about other members of the immigration judge corps sworn in over the past several years [see index].

Abbreviations

In this article, we will use several abbreviations in place of the full names of offices which appear in the biographies of several of the new immigration judges.

• Department of Justice (DOJ)
• Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL)
• Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
• Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations (RAIO)
• Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)
• Office of Chief Counsel (OCC)

Courts Receiving New Judges

The 28 new immigration judges serve on 18 immigration courts across the country. The following is the full list of courts receiving judges along with the number of new judges:

Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court (4); Batavia Immigration Court (1); Boston Immigration Court (1); Chicago Immigration Court (1); Cleveland Immigration Court (2); Houston Immigration Court (1); Houston, S. Gessner Road Immigration Court (2); Imperial Immigration Court (1); Los Angeles Immigration Court (2); Los Angeles North Immigration Court (1); Los Angeles, Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court (1); New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court (4); New York, Varick Immigration Court (1); Otay Mesa Immigration Court (1); Sacramento Immigration Court (2); Stewart Immigration Court (1); Ulster Immigration Court (1); York Immigration Court (1).

Below, we will list the courts in alphabetical order along with short biographies of the new judges.

Please see our short posts on the new Los Angeles, Van Nuys Blvd. [see blog] and Houston, S. Gessner Road [see blog] immigration courts, both of which welcome new judges from the December 20th investiture.

Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court (Georgia)

Philip A. Barr, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court

• 2015-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Atlanta, Georgia.
• 2010-2015: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS in Port Isabel and San Antonio, Texas.
• 2004-2010: Private practice as an immigration and criminal defense attorney.
• Law degree from Birmingham School of Law in 2003.

James J. Crofts, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court

• 2016-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Atlanta.
• 2000-2016: Assistant district attorney with the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, in Bronx, New York.
• 2012-Present: Judge advocate for the U.S. Army Reserve.
• Law degree from St. John's University of Law in 1999.

Sheila E. Gallow, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court

• 2016-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Atlanta.
• 2011-2016: Chief assistant district attorney in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.
• 2007-2011: Assistant attorney general with the Office of Georgia Attorney General, in Atlanta.
• 2012-Present: Judge advocate with the U.S. Army Reserves.
• Law degree from Samford University in 2006.

Philip P. Taylor, Immigration Judge, Atlanta, Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court

• 2000-2019: Chief municipal judge for the City of Kennesaw, Acworth, Powder Springs, and Woodstock, Georgia.
• 1996-2016: Magistrate judge, in Cobb County, Georgia.
• 1989-2012: Private practice.
• Law degree from Emory University School of Law.

Batavia Immigration Court (New York)

Susan F. Aikman, Immigration Judge, Batavia Immigration Court

• 2018-2019: Deputy chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS in Dilley and Pearsall, Texas.
• 2015-2018: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Pearsall Texas.
• 2005-2015: Asylum officer, refugee officer, and field office director with RAIO, USCIS, DHS, in the U.S. and international locations.
• 1999-2005: Private practice.
• Law degree from the University of Toledo, College of Law, in 1999.

Boston Immigration Court (Massachusetts)

Marna M. Rusher, Immigration Judge, Boston Immigration Court

• 2007-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Boston.
• 2005-2007: Private practice.
• 2002-2005: Assistant district attorney, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Chicago Immigration Court (Illinois)

Samia Naseem, Immigration Judge, Chicago Immigration Court

• 2010-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in New York City and Chicago.
• 2007-2010: Trial attorney with the Office of Immigration Litigation, DOJ, in the District of Columbia.
• 2005-2007: Private practice.
• 2004-2005: Judicial law clerk for Judge Judith N. Macaluso in the District of Columbia.
• Law degree from The George Washington University Law School in 2004.

Cleveland Immigration Court (Ohio)

Bruce D. Imbacuan, Immigration Judge, Cleveland Immigration Court

• 2007-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Cleveland.
• 2005-2007: Housing court magistrate for the Cleveland Municipal Housing Court.
• 2002-2005: Assistant prosecuting prosecutor with the City of Cleveland's Prosecutor's Office.
• 1998-2002: Staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
• Law degree from Temple University School of Law in 1998.

Jeremy J. Santoro, Immigration Judge, Cleveland Immigration Court

• 2010-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Cleveland.
• 2009-2010: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Detroit, Michigan.
• 2006-2015: Judge advocate for the Ohio Army National Guard, in Columbus, Ohio.
• 2002-2009: Assistant prosecutor with the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office, in Toledo, Ohio.
• 2001-2002: Private practice.
• Law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2001.

Houston Immigration Court (Texas)

Lynn W. Wang, Immigration Judge, Houston Immigration Court

• 2018-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in San Antonio.
• 2015-2018: Assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, in McAllen, Texas.
• 2007-2015: Assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• 2004-2006: Assistant district attorney for the State of New Mexico.
• 2001-2004: Private practice.
• Law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2000.

Houston, S. Gessner Road Immigration Court (Texas)

Kevin L. Brown, Immigration Judge, Houston, S. Gessner Road Immigration Court

• 2016-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in San Antonio, Texas.
• 1999-2016: Judge advocate for the U.S. Army.
• Law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1999; Master of Laws from the Judge Advocate's Legal Center and School, U.S. Army in 2007.

Miguel A. Cordero-Gonzalez, Immigration Judge, Houston S. Gessner Road Immigration Court

• 2010-2019: State trial court judge, in Puerto Rico.
• 1996-2019: Judge advocate for the U.S. Army Reserve.
• 2015-2016: Senior defense counsel for the 154th Trial Defense Team, Southeast region in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
• 1995-2009: Private practice.
• 1994-1995: Assistant secretary to the secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs Office.
• Law degree from the Pontifical Catholic University School of Law in 1993.

Imperial Immigration Court (California)

Eugene H. Robinson, Immigration Judge, Imperial Immigration Court

• 2018-2019: Deputy chief for hearings in the State Office of Administrative Hearings for the State of Texas.
• 2012-2018; 2005-2011: Military judge.
• 2011-2012: Staff judge advocate for the 3d Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan.
• 1991-2005: Judge advocate in the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Law degree from Howard University School of Law in 1990; Master of Laws from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School in 2002.

Los Angeles Immigration Court (California)

Dale E. Anderson, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court

• 2016-2019: Trial attorney for the Office of International Affairs, Criminal Division, DOJ.
• 2009-2016; 2002-2004: Supervisory attorney advisor and attorney advisor for the BIA, EOIR, DOJ.
• 2004-2009; 1994-2000: Judge advocate for the U.S. Marine Corps.
• 2000-2002: Assistant district counsel with the former INS, DOJ, in Imperial, California.
• 1988-1991: Intelligence officer for the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Law degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1994; Master of Laws from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1997.

Andrea H. Hong, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles Immigration Court

• 2009-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Los Angeles.
• 2006-2009: Deputy district attorney with the Riverside County Attorney's Office, in Riverside, California.
• 2001-2004: Assistant prosecutor with the Summit County Prosecutor's Office, in Akron, Ohio.
• 1999-2001: Assistant city prosecutor with the Akron City Prosecutor's Office, in Akron, Ohio.
• Law degree from the University of Akron, School of Law in 1999.

Los Angeles North Immigration Court (California)

Lily C. Hsu, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles North Immigration Court

• 2006-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Los Angeles.
• 2009-2011: Special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, in Los Angeles.
• 2004-2006: Asylum officer with the USCIS, DHS, in Anaheim, California.
• 2001-2004: Private practice.
• Law degree from California Western School of Law in 2000.

Los Angeles, Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court (California)

Brian H. Burke, Immigration Judge, Los Angeles, Van Nuys Blvd. Immigration Court

• 2017-2019: Chief Judge for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, in California.
• 2013-2019: Chief Judge for the Ak-Chin Indian Community, in Maricopa, Arizona.
• 2010-2013: Tribal prosecutor for the Ak-Chin Indian Community, in Maricopa, Arizona.
• 2009-2010: Deputy defense attorney for the Salt River Prima-Maricopa Indian Community, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
• 2006-2009: Managing attorney for Community Legal Services, in Kingman, Arizona.
• 2003-2006: Rights attorney for the Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, in Las Vegas.
• 2000-2003: Assistant public defender in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
• 1999-2000: Staff attorney for Appalachian Legal Services, in Charleston, West Virginia.
• 1992-1995; 1997-1998: Assistant district attorney for the Beaver County District Attorney's Office.
• Law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1992.

New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court

Jennifer Cheung, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court

• 2008-2019: Private practice.
• Law degree from Hofstra University School of Law in 2007.

Diane L. Dodd, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court

• 2016-2019: Special assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, DOJ, in Minneapolis.
• 2010-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS.
• 1999-2010: Assistant district attorney in the District Attorney's Office, in Brunswick, Georgia.
• Law degree from Lewis and Clark College, Northwestern School of Law in 1990.

John J. Siemietkowski, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court

• 2002-2019: Trial attorney at the Commercial Litigation Branch, Department of Justice, in the District of Columbia.
• 2018-2018: U.S. deputy justice attaché to Afghanistan.
• Retired from the U.S. Army in 2018 after serving for nearly three decades as an active duty and reserve JAG attorney.
• Law degree from Catholic University in 1987; Master of Law from the Army Judge Advocate General's School in 2000.

Rantideva Singh, Immigration Judge, New York, Federal Plaza Immigration Court

• 2011-2019: Administrative law judge with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, in New York City.
• 2009-2011: Trial attorney with the New York City Administration for Children's Services in Bronx Family Court.
• 2007-2009: Supervising attorney with the New York City Department of Homeless Services.
• 1997-2002: Police officer in the New York City Police Department.
• Law degree from Boston University School of Law in 2005.

New York, Varick Immigration Court

David A. Norkin, Immigration Judge, New York, Varick Immigration Court

• 2019: Court administrator for the Fishkill, Ulster, and Varick Immigration Courts.
• 1999-2016: Judge advocate, defense counsel, prosecutor, special assistant U.S. attorney, and appellate military judge.
• Law degree from The George Washington University Law School in 1999.

Otay Mesa Immigration Court (California)

Amelia C. Anderson, Immigration Judge, Otay Mesa Immigration Court

• 2010-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in San Diego, California.
• 2017-2018: Special assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California in San Diego.
• 2009-2010: Attorney advisor at the San Diego Immigration Court, EOIR, DOJ.
• Law degree from DePaul University College of Law in 2009.

Sacramento Immigration Court (California)

Christopher V. Phan, Immigration Judge, Sacramento Immigration Court

• 2000-2019: Judge advocate for the U.S. Navy.
• 2012-2016: City counsel member in Garden Grove, Californa; Deputy district attorney in Orange County, California.
• Law degree from Southern Illinois University in 1999.

Gilda M. Terrazas, Immigration Judge, Sacramento Immigration Court

• 2010-2019: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.
• 2008-2010: Public defender in Cochise County, Arizona.
• 1995-2008: Municipal and tribal court judge, in Tucson, Arizona.
• 1988-1995: Private practice.
• Law degree from The University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law in 1988.

Stewart Immigration Court (Georgia)

Bianca H. Brown, Immigration Judge, Stewart Immigration Court

• 2018-2019: Deputy chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Lumpkin, Georgia.
• 2011-2018: Assistant chief counsel, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in Lumpkin, Georgia.
• Law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2011.

Ulster Immigration Court (New York)

Ubaid ul-Haq, Immigration Judge, Ulster Immigration Court

• 2019-2019: Trial attorney with the OIL's Appellate Court Section, Civil Division, DOJ, in the District of Columbia.
• 2014-2019: Trial attorney with OIL's District Court Section, Civil Division, DOK.
• 2016-Present: Judge advocate with the U.S. Army Reserve, in Alexandria, Virginia.
• 2014-2014: Associate legal advisor, Executive Communication's Unit, OCC, OPLA, ICE, DHS, in the District of Columbia.
• 2011-2014: Assistant chief counsel, OPLA-San Antonio, ICE, DHS, in Pearsall, Texas.
• Law degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2010; Master of Laws from American University Washington College of Law in 2011.

York Immigration Court (Pennsylvania)

Matthew H. Watters, Immigration Judge, York Immigration Court

• Currently serves as judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve and as a deputy commander in the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command.
• 2010-2019: Assistant U.S. attorney and supervisory assistant U.S. attorney in the Western District of Texas.
• 2003-2010: Judge advocate for the U.S. Army.
• Law degree from Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law in 2002.

Please visit the nyc immigration lawyers website for further information. The Law Offices of Grinberg & Segal, PLLC focuses vast segment of its practice on immigration law. This steadfast dedication has resulted in thousands of immigrants throughout the United States.

Lawyer website: http://myattorneyusa.com