# New Immigration Judges at Georgia's Atlanta and Stewart Immigration Courts in 2026

> EOIR assigned 14 new judges to Georgia's three immigration courts in 2026. Who they are, which court hears detained cases and what to do.

- Source: https://carlosmaury.law/news/new-immigration-judges-atlanta-stewart-georgia-courts
- Author: Carlos Maury Law
- Published: 2026-09-24
- Updated: 2026-09-28
- Topics: new immigration judges Atlanta, Atlanta Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court judges, Atlanta W. Peachtree Street Immigration Court judges, Stewart Immigration Court judges, Lumpkin Georgia immigration court

On **September 24, 2026**, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced **Latosha M. Powell** as a new immigration judge at the **Stewart Immigration Court** in Lumpkin, Georgia. She is the latest of **14 new judges** EOIR has announced for Georgia's three immigration courts since February 2026: three at **Atlanta – Ted Turner Drive**, seven at **Atlanta – W. Peachtree Street** and four at **Stewart**. Four of the 14 are temporary immigration judges.

This is general information, not legal advice. The sources are EOIR's judge announcements, including the **[September 24, 2026 biographies](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1462441/dl?inline)**, and EOIR's **[Administrative Control list](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-administrative-control-list)**.

## Georgia's three immigration courts

- **Atlanta – Ted Turner Drive:** 180 Ted Turner Drive, SW, Suite 241, Atlanta, GA 30303. See our [Atlanta – Ted Turner Drive court page](/atlanta-immigration-court).
- **Atlanta – W. Peachtree Street:** Peachtree Summit Federal Building, 401 W. Peachtree Street, Suite 2600, Atlanta, GA 30308. See our [Atlanta – W. Peachtree Street court page](/atlanta-peachtree-immigration-court).
- **Stewart:** 146 CCA Road, Lumpkin, GA 31815. See our [Stewart Immigration Court page](/stewart-immigration-court).

Each court page lists the phone and hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday). EOIR's **[operational status page](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-operational-status)** lists all three as open. Our guide to the [Georgia immigration courts](/georgia-immigration-courts) compares them.

## Which court hears detained cases

EOIR's Administrative Control list, updated September 28, 2026, shows which court handles each detention facility and DHS office:

- **Atlanta – W. Peachtree Street** lists the Atlanta DHS district office only. It names no detention facility.
- **Atlanta – Ted Turner Drive** lists the Atlanta DHS district office and these facilities: the **Folkston ICE Detention Center (Main)** and **(Annex)**, the **D. Ray James Detention Facility**, the Georgia Department of Corrections Diagnostic Center in Jackson, FCA Aliceville, and the Etowah County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility.
- **Stewart** lists the **Stewart Detention Center** and the **Irwin County Detention Center**.

A detained person's case may not be at the nearest court. Our explainer on [bond hearings and immigration detention](/news/bond-hearings-immigration-detention-explained) covers how custody cases work.

## The new judges, court by court

Each line comes from the official EOIR biography.

- **Kyle Pearson (temporary)**, Ted Turner Drive court, began hearing cases in **February 2026**. Military judge, Georgia Army National Guard; executive counsel, Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
- **Jonathan Daniel Pelletier**, Ted Turner Drive court, began hearing cases in **May 2026**. Immigration judge at the Atlanta Immigration Court (2006–2019).
- **Daniel J. Wright**, Ted Turner Drive court, began hearing cases in **May 2026**. Counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Atlanta (2018–2026).
- **Kevin D. Stroberg (temporary)**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **February 2026**. Assistant district attorney and earlier public defender, Ocmulgee Circuit, Georgia.
- **Melissa L. Isaak (temporary)**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **April 2026**. Private practice, Isaak Law Firm, Alabama (2009–2026).
- **Benedict S. Gullo**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **May 2026**. Judge advocate, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard (2003–2026).
- **Kimberly B. Jeter**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **May 2026**. Attorney advisor at this court (2017–2026).
- **Robert A. McBride**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **May 2026**. Staff attorney in Montgomery, Alabama; retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel.
- **Donna S. Gopaul**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **June 2026**. Assistant chief counsel, ICE OPLA, Atlanta (2020–2026).
- **Shiv Sachdeva**, W. Peachtree Street court, began hearing cases in **August 2026**. Senior assistant district attorney, Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Georgia (2008–2026).
- **Chad Bayse (temporary)**, Stewart court, began hearing cases in **June 2026**. Judge advocate, U.S. Navy (2007–2026).
- **Ashley N. Lassiter**, Stewart court, began hearing cases in **July 2026**. Assistant chief counsel, ICE OPLA, Atlanta (2019–2026).
- **Michael C. Scharf Jr.**, Stewart court, began hearing cases in **August 2026**. Counsel, ICE OPLA, Jacksonville (2025–2026); private practice in Michigan.
- **Latosha M. Powell**, Stewart court, began hearing cases in **September 2026**. Counsel, ICE OPLA, Atlanta (2020–2026).

EOIR announced these judges on [February 5](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1426676/dl?inline), [April 8](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1435381/dl?inline), [May 21](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1441406/dl?inline), [June 17](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1446596/dl?inline), [July 29](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1454626/dl?inline), [August 27](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1459376/dl?inline) and [September 24, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1462441/dl?inline). Each court may have other judges as well; our court pages list the judges currently sitting there.

## What this means if you have a case in Georgia

New judges can mean that some cases move to a different judge's docket. In practice:

- **Your case may be reassigned.** A new judge or hearing date does not end your case. Follow the latest hearing notice.
- **Check your case status.** Use EOIR's Automated Case Information portal (ACIS) or its case information phone line to confirm your next hearing date, time and judge.
- **Keep your address current.** If you move, file **Form EOIR-33** with the court. Notices go to the address EOIR has on file, and missing a hearing can lead to an order of removal in your absence.
- **Deadlines do not move.** Filing deadlines the court has set still apply unless the court changes them in writing.
- **Bring your evidence.** Prepare documents and witnesses whoever the judge is.

For how a case moves from the Notice to Appear to a decision, see our guide to [removal proceedings](/immigration/removal-proceedings). If a family member is held at Stewart, Irwin County or Folkston, our [immigration detention guide](/immigration/immigration-detention) explains the first steps.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which Georgia immigration court hears cases from Folkston?

EOIR's Administrative Control list, updated September 28, 2026, assigns the Folkston ICE Detention Center (Main and Annex) and the D. Ray James Detention Facility to the Atlanta – Ted Turner Drive Immigration Court.

### Which facilities does the Stewart Immigration Court hear?

The same list names the Stewart Detention Center and the Irwin County Detention Center under the Stewart Immigration Court in Lumpkin.

### Who is the newest judge at the Stewart Immigration Court?

Latosha M. Powell, announced by EOIR on September 24, 2026, to begin hearing cases that month.

### Will a new judge change my hearing date?

Not necessarily. Your hearing stays as scheduled unless the court sends a new notice. Check ACIS to confirm.

This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Court details can change; confirm them with [EOIR](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-operational-status) and consult a qualified attorney about your situation.

If you have a case at an immigration court in Georgia, a lawyer can review your notices and deadlines. Carlos Maury, a former U.S. Immigration Judge, leads Carlos Maury Law. To talk about your case, call **(213) 769-0050**. **We speak Spanish.**

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*General legal information from Carlos Maury Law — not legal advice. https://carlosmaury.law/news/new-immigration-judges-atlanta-stewart-georgia-courts*