Concord Immigration Court Adds 10 New Immigration Judges in 2026

Immigration court: Concord Immigration Court · California Immigration Courts

On August 27, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced a new immigration judge for the Concord Immigration Court in California. That made 10 new immigration judges assigned to Concord in EOIR's investiture announcements between February 5 and August 27, 2026. EOIR announced all 10 as immigration judges, not temporary immigration judges.

This is general information drawn from EOIR announcements, not legal advice. The most recent source is EOIR's August 27, 2026 announcement (opens in new tab) of new immigration judges.

Why Concord's bench grew

The hires came in the same year Concord took on a much bigger docket. In its May 1, 2026 notice (opens in new tab), EOIR said the San Francisco Immigration Court would permanently close at the close of business on September 4, 2026, with its cases reassigned to the Concord Immigration Court.

The Concord hires were also part of a national hiring push. EOIR described its May 21, 2026 class as "the largest class of new adjudicators in EOIR's history, growing the total immigration judge corps to nearly 700" (EOIR press release (opens in new tab)).

The 10 judges EOIR named to Concord in 2026

Each name, start month and prior position below comes from EOIR's biographical announcement for that class.

Announcement of Feb. 5, 2026 (opens in new tab):

• Stephen F. Keane, began hearing cases in February 2026. Prior position: Supervisory veterans law judge, Board of Veterans' Appeals.

Announcement of Apr. 8, 2026 (opens in new tab):

• John F. Jakubowski, began hearing cases in April 2026. Prior position: Senior supervisory attorney, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

Announcement of May 21, 2026 (opens in new tab):

• Lauren M. Black, began hearing cases in May 2026. Prior position: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, San Francisco.

Announcement of June 17, 2026 (opens in new tab):

• Patrick A. Espana, began hearing cases in June 2026. Prior position: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Seattle.
• Ellaine Loreto Goss, began hearing cases in June 2026. Prior position: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Santa Ana.
• Adam R. Morris, began hearing cases in June 2026. Prior position: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Phoenix.
• Andrew F. Scafidi, began hearing cases in June 2026. Prior position: Administrative law attorney, U.S. Army, Mountain View, California.

Announcement of July 29, 2026 (opens in new tab):

• Matthew D. "Matt" Pember, began hearing cases in July 2026. Prior position: Interim manager/felony attorney, Idaho State Public Defender.
• Jeffrey L. Phillips, began hearing cases in July 2026. Prior position: Associate judge, Nez Perce Tribe.

Announcement of Aug. 27, 2026 (opens in new tab):

• Ryan J. Byers, began hearing cases in August 2026. Prior position: Counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Seattle.

EOIR's September 24, 2026 announcement of new judges does not list a Concord assignment.

Who sits at Concord today

An announcement shows where EOIR assigned a judge when the judge was sworn in. It does not show who hears cases at the court today. For that, check EOIR's Concord Immigration Court page (opens in new tab). As of its September 24, 2026 update, that page lists an assistant chief immigration judge and 19 immigration judges. Stephen F. Keane and John F. Jakubowski are not on that list. The page does not explain changes to the bench.

The court's address on that page is 1855 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 850, Concord, CA 94520. More about the court, including detention and bond information, is on our Concord Immigration Court page.

What this means if you have a case at the Concord Immigration Court

A new judge at the court does not change the law that applies to your case or the deadlines you must meet. What you can do:

1. Read your latest hearing notice. It shows the date, time and place of your next hearing, including whether it is in person or remote. Cases moved from San Francisco get new notices from EOIR.
2. Check your case online. EOIR's Automated Case Information portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov (opens in new tab) shows your next hearing and the court handling your case.
3. Keep your address current. File Form EOIR-33 with the court within five days of any move, as 8 CFR 1003.15(d)(2) (opens in new tab) requires.
4. Prepare for the hearing itself. Our guides to removal proceedings and deportation defense explain each stage of a case in immigration court.

Frequently asked questions

How many new immigration judges did EOIR assign to Concord in 2026?

Ten, across EOIR announcements from February 5 to August 27, 2026. All were announced as immigration judges, not temporary immigration judges.

Does a new judge mean my hearing date changes?

Only a new hearing notice from the court changes your hearing. Check your latest notice and EOIR's case portal.

Where can I see which judges are at the Concord court now?

On EOIR's Concord Immigration Court page, which EOIR updates. As of September 24, 2026, it listed 19 immigration judges.

My case was in San Francisco. Is it now in Concord?

EOIR said the San Francisco Immigration Court closed on September 4, 2026 and that its cases are reassigned to Concord, heard at Concord or remotely. Your latest hearing notice shows where your case is.

If you have a case at the Concord Immigration Court, you can discuss your situation with Carlos Maury, former U.S. Immigration Judge, at (213) 769-0050. Hablamos Español.

Related service: Deportation defense lawyer