17 New Immigration Judges Take the Bench in April 2021

On May 6, 2021, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the investiture of 17 new immigration judges [link]. These new immigration judges include one Assistant Chief Immigration Judge and six Unit Chief Immigration Judges. Assistant Chief Immigration Judges oversee the operations of their assigned immigration courts. Unit Chief Immigration Judges preside over video teleconference hearings and supervise staff in said hearings. 13 of the immigration judges were appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, while the remaining four were appointed by former Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen.

In this post, we will list the new immigration judges and note their resumes and biographical details, with reference to the EOIR's press release.

Immigration Courts Receiving New Immigration Judges

• Adelanto Immigration Court
• Atlanta — W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court
• Chicago Immigration Court
• Houston — Greenspoint Immigration Court (5)
• New York — Broadway Immigration Court
• New York — Federal Plaza Immigration Court
• Portland Immigration Court
• Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center (6)

One New Immigration Judge at the Adelanto Immigration Court

The Adelanto Immigration Court is located in Adelanto, California. It received one new immigration judge.

Bryan E. DePowell

Immigration Judge Bryan E. DePowell began hearing cases in April. He earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University Commonwealth Law School in 2009.

• 2019-2021: Felony prosecutor in Honolulu, Hawaii.
• 2018-2019: Chief Counsel for the House Minority Research Office in Hawaii.
• 2012-2018: Private practice in Pennsylvania.

One New Immigration Judge at the Atlanta — W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court

The Atlanta — W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It received one new immigration judge.

Bryan D. Watson

Immigration Judge Bryan D. Watson began hearing cases in April. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri in 1996.

• 1996-2021: U.S. Air Force Active Duty Judge Advocate in a number of locations. Retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2021 with the rank of Colonel.
• 2019-2021: Chief Trial Judge for the U.S Air Force Trial Judiciary at Joint Base Andrews.
• 2017-2019: Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's School at Maxwell Air Force Base.
• 2014-2017: General Counsel of the White House Military Office in the District of Columbia.

Chicago Immigration Court

The Chicago Immigration Court is located in Chicago, Illinois. It received one new immigration judge.

Elizabeth Crites

Immigration Judge Elizabeth Crites began hearing cases in April. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago John Marshall School of Law in 2009.

• 2016-2021: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security in Chicago.
• 2009-2016: Private practice.

Houston-Greenspoint Immigration Court

The Houston-Greenspoint Immigration Court is located in Houston, Texas. It welcomed five new immigration judges.

Nicholle M. Hempel

Immigration Judge Nicholle M. Hempel began hearing cases in April 2021. She earned her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2000.

• 2020-2021: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Los Angeles, California
• 2003-2010: Local prosecutor
• 1998-2003: Law clerk

Martinque M. Parker

Immigration Judge Martinque M. Parker began hearing cases in April 2021. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 2011.

• 2017-2021: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Lumpkin, Georgia.
• 2011-2017: Local prosecutor.

David M. Paxton

Immigration Judge David M. Paxton began hearing cases in April 2021. He earned his Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2009.

• 2015-2021: Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.
• 2011-2015: Local prosecutor.
• 2010-2011: Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Criminal Division of the Northern District of California, in San Jose.

Kenya L. Wells

Immigration Judge Kenya L. Wells began hearing cases in April 2021. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law in 2010.

• 2017-2021: Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
• 2010-2016: Assistant District Attorney with the Manhattan (NY) District Attorney's Office.

Mark R. Whitworth

Immigration Judge Mark R. Whitworth began hearing cases in April. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993.

• 2003-2021: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Harlingen, Texas.
• 2001-2003: Assistant District Counsel with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service.
• 1994-2001: Assistant Attorney General with the Office of the Attorney General.
• 1993-1994: Private practice.

New York — Broadway Immigration Court

The New York — Broadway Immigration Court is located in Manhattan, New York. It received one new immigration judge.

Adam Perl

Immigration Judge Adam Perl began hearing cases in April 2021. He earned his Juris Doctor from the St. Thomas University School of Law in 2011.

• 2018-2021: Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in New York.
• 2016-2018: Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Newburgh, New York.
• 2014-2016: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in New York.
• 2011-2014: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Los Angeles.

New York — Federal Plaza Immigration Court

The New York — Federal Plaza Immigration Court is located in Manhattan, New York. It received one new immigration judge.

William H. McDermott

Immigration Judge William H. McDermott began hearing cases in April 2021. He earned his Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

• 2011-2021: Local prosecutor in various offices in Maryland.

Portland Immigration Court

The Portland Immigration Court is located in Portland, Oregon. It received one new immigration judge.

Kathy J. Lemke

Immigration Judge Kathy J. Lemke began hearing cases in April. She earned her Juris Doctor from Arizona State University School of Law in 1997.

• 2019-2020: Local prosecutor in Phoenix, Arizona.
• 2009-2019: Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, in Phoenix.
• 1998-2009: Local prosecutor in various offices in Arizona.

Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center

The Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center is located in Richmond, Virginia, and hears cases via video teleconference. It received six new immigration judges.

Megan B. Herndon (Assistant Chief Immigration Judge)

Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Megan B. Hendron began supervisory immigration court duties and hearing cases in April 2021. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2002.

• 2020-2021: Senior Regulatory Coordinator, Office of Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, in the District of Columbia.
• 2018-2020: Deputy Director of Legal Affairs, Office of Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State, in the District of Columbia.
• 2015-2015: Chief of the Legislation and Regulations Division, Office of Visa Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State.
• 2013-2015: Section Chief and Practice Division, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in the District of Columbia and Falls Church, Virginia.
• 2009-2013: Appellate Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in the District of Columbia and Falls Church, Virginia.

Wade T. Napier (Unit Chief Immigration Judge)

Unit Chief Immigration Judge Wade T. Napier began supervisory immigration adjudication center duties and hearing cases in April 2021. He earned his law degree from Northern Kentucky University-Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2005.

• 2008-2021: Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, in Lexington.
• 2008-2008: Staff attorney for Kentucky trial judge.
• 2005-2007: Private practice.

Tamaira Rivera (Unit Chief Immigration Judge)

Unit Chief Immigration Judge Tamaira Rivera began supervisory immigration adjudication center duties and hearing cases in April. She earned her Juris Doctor at California Western School of Law.

• 2019-2021: Private practice in immigration law.
• 2017-2019: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Orlando.
• 2012-2017: Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in San Antonio.
• 2010-2012: Attorney Advisor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Air Force, in San Antonio.
• 2009-2010: Senior Democracy Fellow, U.S. Agency for International Development, in the District of Columbia.
• 2007-2009: Private practice.
• 1996-2006: U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate in a number of locations.

David H. Robertson (Unit Chief Immigration Judge)

Unit Chief Immigration Judge David H. Robertson began supervisory immigration adjudication center duties and hearing cases in April. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1989.

• 1990-2020: U.S. Army Judge Advocate in a number of locations (also served as a military trial judge, special defense counsel, and prosecutor during this period — retired in 2020 with the rank of Colonel).

Elliot M. Kaplan (Unit Chief Immigration Judge)

Unit Chief Immigration Judge Elliot M. Kaplan began supervisory immigration adjudication center duties and hearing cases in April. Je earned his Juris Doctor from Whittier School of Law in 1982.

• 1983-2020: Private practice at a number of law firms.

Jeb T. Terrien (Unit Chief Immigration Judge)

Unit Chief Immigration Judge Jeb T. Terrien began supervisory immigration adjudication center duties and hearing cases in April. He earned his Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School in 1997.

• 2009-2021: Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, in Harrisonberg.
• 2004-2008: Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, in Cincinnati, and the Northern District of West Virginia, in Martinsberg.
• 1998-2004: Virginia State and local prosecutor in a number of offices and positions.

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