Honolulu Immigration Court Adds Two Judges in 2026, and What EOIR Shows for the Saipan Court
Immigration courts: Honolulu Immigration Court, Saipan Immigration Court
On June 17, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced that Tamara S. Wallen "was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in June 2026" at the Honolulu Immigration Court (EOIR announcement, June 17, 2026 (opens in new tab)). A month earlier, on May 21, 2026, EOIR had announced that Kiley R. Hyatt "was appointed as a temporary immigration judge to begin hearing cases in May 2026" at the same court (EOIR announcement, May 21, 2026 (opens in new tab)). This article sets out those two appointments, what EOIR's court pages show for Honolulu today, and what they show for the Saipan Immigration Court.
This is general information drawn from EOIR's public announcements and court pages, not legal advice. It says nothing about how any judge decides cases.
The two new judges in Honolulu
- Kiley R. Hyatt: Temporary immigration judge, from May 2026 (EOIR notice: May 21, 2026 (opens in new tab))
- Tamara S. Wallen: Immigration judge, from June 2026 (EOIR notice: June 17, 2026 (opens in new tab))
EOIR publishes a notice with short biographies each time it swears in a group of judges. According to her biography, Judge Wallen served on active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard as a judge advocate from 2005 to 2025. According to hers, Judge Hyatt is a member of the Hawai'i State Bar.
Who is on the Honolulu court's EOIR page
EOIR's Honolulu Immigration Court page (opens in new tab), updated August 13, 2026, lists this staff directory:
- Assistant Chief Immigration Judge: Jason R. Waterloo
- Immigration Judges: Howard Hom and Tamara S. Wallen
- Temporary Immigration Judge: Kiley R. Hyatt
That page is the reference for who sits at the court; assignments change and EOIR updates it from time to time. It gives the court's address as the PJKK Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 8-112, Honolulu, HI 96850, on the 8th floor, with public and window filing hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday except federal holidays, and a phone number and email address for questions. Our Honolulu Immigration Court page collects these details with detention, bond and case information for the court.
What EOIR shows for the Saipan Immigration Court
EOIR's Saipan Immigration Court page (opens in new tab), updated July 6, 2026, lists Jason R. Waterloo as Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, the same name listed for Honolulu. Its "Immigration Judges" heading has no immigration judge listed by name. The page gives the court's address as Marina Heights II Building, Suite 301, Marina Heights Business Park, Saipan, MP 96950, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 505595, and says the court is open to receive documents for filing each business day, with no documents accepted after 4 p.m.
EOIR's operational status page (opens in new tab) listed both the Saipan and the Honolulu immigration courts as OPEN on September 28, 2026. The Saipan page does not say who hears Saipan cases or how, and we do not guess. If you have a case there, your hearing notice is the document that tells you when, where and before whom your hearing is set. Our Saipan Immigration Court page has the court's details.
What this means if you have a case in Honolulu or Saipan
A new judge does not change the law that applies to your case. It is still a removal proceeding under INA section 240, with the same forms of relief and the same deadlines. What can change is the practical side: the name on your hearing notice, the courtroom or the date.
- Read your latest hearing notice. It shows the date, time, place and judge. If your case moves to a different judge, the court sends a new notice.
- Check your case online. EOIR's Automated Case Information portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov (opens in new tab) shows your next hearing, and EOIR also runs an automated phone line for case information. You need your A-number.
- Keep your address current. If you move, file Form EOIR-33 with the court right away. Notices go to the address the court has on file, and missing a hearing can lead to an order of removal in your absence.
- File at the right court. Papers go to the court that has your case, Honolulu or Saipan, unless the judge has changed venue. Check the court's EOIR page for its filing hours before you go.
- Prepare the same way for any judge. Deadlines for applications and evidence are set by the court and the rules. Our guide to deportation defense explains the main forms of relief.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the new judges at the Honolulu Immigration Court?
EOIR announced Kiley R. Hyatt as a temporary immigration judge (May 2026) and Tamara S. Wallen as an immigration judge (June 2026). EOIR's Honolulu page, updated August 13, 2026, also lists Immigration Judge Howard Hom and Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jason R. Waterloo.
Where is the Honolulu Immigration Court?
According to EOIR, in the PJKK Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 8-112, Honolulu, HI 96850. Its phone number and email are on its EOIR page.
Is the Saipan Immigration Court open?
EOIR's operational status page listed it as OPEN on September 28, 2026. EOIR's Saipan page lists no immigration judge by name; it lists Jason R. Waterloo as Assistant Chief Immigration Judge.
How do I find out which judge has my case?
Your hearing notice names the judge. You can also check EOIR's Automated Case Information portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov or use EOIR's automated case information phone line.
If you have a case at the Honolulu or Saipan Immigration Court and want to talk it through, you can discuss your situation with Carlos Maury, former U.S. Immigration Judge, at (213) 769-0050. Hablamos Español.
This article is general information based on EOIR's public notices and court pages, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Judge assignments change; confirm the current information on EOIR's Honolulu (opens in new tab) and Saipan (opens in new tab) court pages and consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.
Related service: Deportation defense lawyer