Charlotte Immigration Court: The New Judges EOIR Assigned From October 2025 to May 2026
Immigration court: Charlotte Immigration Court
On May 21, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced its largest class of new immigration judges, and three of them, Christopher W. Bragg, Amy Sigmon Walker and Jennifer S. Wells, were assigned to the Charlotte Immigration Court in North Carolina. They began hearing cases in May 2026. Earlier, EOIR had announced two temporary immigration judges for Charlotte: Michael F. Hayden (October 2025) and Eric Levinson (April 2026). That makes five new judges for the Charlotte court in EOIR's announcements from October 2025 to May 2026.
This is general information, not legal advice. The sources are EOIR's May 21, 2026 announcement (opens in new tab) and its biographies of the new judges (opens in new tab), plus the earlier announcements linked below.
The five new judges EOIR announced for Charlotte
Each line below comes from the judge's official EOIR biography. Three are immigration judges; two are temporary immigration judges, as EOIR lists them.
- Michael F. Hayden, temporary immigration judge, began hearing cases in October 2025. Worked at a financial institution in Charlotte (2018–2025), including as senior lead enterprise risk officer; served as an Army judge advocate; U.S. Army Reserve since 2018. Member of the Massachusetts Bar.
- Eric Levinson, temporary immigration judge, began hearing cases in April 2026. Certified mediator (July 2023 to March 2026); North Carolina Superior Court judge (2009–2023); associate judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals (2003–2007). Member of the North Carolina Bar.
- Christopher W. Bragg, immigration judge, began hearing cases in May 2026. North Carolina emergency superior court, superior court and district court judge (1994 to April 2026); assistant district attorney (1990–1994). Member of the North Carolina Bar.
- Amy Sigmon Walker, immigration judge, began hearing cases in May 2026. District court judge, North Carolina's 36th Judicial District (December 2002 to April 2026); assistant district attorney, Mecklenburg County (1999–2001). Member of the North Carolina Bar.
- Jennifer S. Wells, immigration judge, began hearing cases in May 2026. Assistant attorney general, South Carolina Attorney General's Office (April 2020 to April 2026); assistant district attorney in Boone, North Carolina (2014–2020). Member of the North Carolina and South Carolina Bars.
EOIR announced Judge Hayden on October 24, 2025 (opens in new tab) and Judge Levinson on April 8, 2026 (opens in new tab). Judges Bragg, Walker and Wells were sworn in at the May 20, 2026 investiture that EOIR announced the next day. EOIR says all of its immigration judges, including temporary immigration judges, go through the same training program.
The court may have other judges as well. Our Charlotte Immigration Court page lists the judges currently sitting there, with the court's address, phone and hours.
Which cases the Charlotte court hears
EOIR's Administrative Control list (opens in new tab), updated September 28, 2026, shows which court handles the cases from each DHS office and detention facility. Under the Charlotte Immigration Court, at 5701 Executive Center Drive, Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28212, it lists two entries:
- the North Carolina DHS sub-office, and
- the South Carolina DHS sub-office.
The list names no individual detention facility under Charlotte. The Atlanta courts on the same list cover the Atlanta DHS district "except North Carolina and South Carolina." Still, check your own paperwork: the court named on your most recent hearing notice is the one that has your case. EOIR's operational status page (opens in new tab) lists the Charlotte court as open.
If a family member is detained, our explainer on bond hearings and immigration detention covers how custody cases work.
What this means if you have a case in Charlotte
New judges at a court can mean that some cases move to a different judge's docket. What it practically means for you:
- Your case may be reassigned. A new judge or a new hearing date does not end your case. Follow the most recent hearing notice you receive.
- Check your case status. Use EOIR's online Automated Case Information portal or its automated 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 your documents and witnesses for the hearing whoever the judge is.
For how a case moves from the Notice to Appear to a decision, see our guide to removal proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the new judges at the Charlotte Immigration Court?
EOIR announced five between October 2025 and May 2026: temporary immigration judges Michael F. Hayden (October 2025) and Eric Levinson (April 2026), and immigration judges Christopher W. Bragg, Amy Sigmon Walker and Jennifer S. Wells (May 2026).
Does the Charlotte court hear South Carolina cases?
EOIR's Administrative Control list, updated September 28, 2026, places both the North Carolina and the South Carolina DHS sub-offices under the Charlotte Immigration Court.
What is a temporary immigration judge?
It is the title EOIR uses for some of the judges it appoints. EOIR says temporary immigration judges go through the same training program as its other immigration judges.
Will my hearing be moved because of the new judges?
It may or may not be. Check your case in EOIR's Automated Case Information portal or its automated phone line, and follow the most recent notice from the court.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Court details can change; confirm them with EOIR (opens in new tab) and consult a qualified attorney about your situation.
If you have a case at the Charlotte Immigration Court, 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.
Related service: Deportation defense lawyer