New Immigration Judges for Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis: What Changes for Your Case
Immigration courts: Chicago Immigration Court, Detroit Immigration Court, Indianapolis Immigration Court
On September 24, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the Justice Department agency that runs the immigration courts, announced the swearing in of 47 immigration judges and 6 temporary immigration judges. Seven of the new judges were assigned to three Midwest courts: Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis. They join judges assigned to Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Cleveland in EOIR's July 29 and August 27, 2026 classes. If you have a case in one of these courts, here is what the new assignments mean for you.
This is general information, not legal advice. The sources are EOIR's September 24, 2026 press release (opens in new tab) and its judges' biographical summaries (opens in new tab), plus the July 29 and August 27, 2026 releases listed below.
Who was assigned to the Midwest courts
According to EOIR's biographical summaries, the new immigration judges assigned to these courts are:
September 24, 2026 class (press release (opens in new tab), bios (opens in new tab))
- Chicago Immigration Court: Rory McGarry (previously a deputy and assistant district attorney for the State of Wisconsin) and Anthony C. Williams (previously managing partner of a law firm in Stafford, Virginia).
- Detroit Immigration Court: Shelly M. Kennedy (previously an assistant attorney general with the Office of the Ohio Attorney General) and Margaret L. Wright (previously a complaints manager for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers).
- Indianapolis Immigration Court: Luis R. Guzman (previously an attorney in private practice in Florida), Thomas G. Shaia (previously a managing partner of a law firm in Mechanicsville, Virginia) and Kerry Anne Vales (previously counsel with ICE's Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in Miami).
August 27, 2026 class (press release (opens in new tab), bios (opens in new tab))
- Kansas City Immigration Court: Joseph A. Ahlemeyer (previously an acquisition attorney with the Department of the Air Force).
- Cleveland Immigration Court: EOIR announced the assignment of Brian E. Salisbury (previously a general attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel). The Cleveland court's EOIR page, updated September 16, 2026, did not yet list him.
July 29, 2026 class (press release (opens in new tab), bios (opens in new tab))
- Chicago: Albert J. Charanza Jr. (previously an assistant district attorney in Parker County, Texas) and Stephen W. Harrell (previously a U.S. Army judge advocate).
- Kansas City: Shawn McCarver (previously an attorney in Farmington, Missouri, and a former Missouri associate circuit judge) and Lauren B. Watson (previously an assistant attorney general in Kansas). EOIR announced Judge Watson's assignment; the Kansas City court's EOIR page, updated September 18, 2026, did not list her.
- Indianapolis: Ryan C. Painter (previously chief executive officer of Shiawassee Health and Wellness in Michigan).
How many judges these courts now list
EOIR's court pages, each updated September 24, 2026, list:
- Chicago: 20 immigration judges; Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Craig DeFoe.
- Detroit: 10 immigration judges; Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jonathan Owens.
- Indianapolis: 10 immigration judges; Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Robert P. Driscoll.
All of the Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis judges named above appear on those lists.
What it means if you have a case in these courts
New judges do not change the law that applies to your case. Removal proceedings follow the same statute and regulations no matter which judge hears them, and the charges on your Notice to Appear stay the same.
What can change is who hears your case and when. When a court adds judges, cases may be assigned to a different judge, and hearing dates or times may move. The court tells the parties through a new hearing notice, so the notice is what counts, not the date you remember.
What to do now
From the perspective of a former U.S. Immigration Judge, these steps protect a case whenever a court's docket changes:
- Check your case status. Use EOIR's Automated Case Information portal (opens in new tab) with your A-number. Confirm the court, the judge, your next hearing date and time, and whether the hearing is in person or by video.
- Keep your address current. If you move, file Form EOIR-33 with the immigration court within five days. Hearing notices go to the last address the court has.
- Never miss a hearing. If you do not appear, the judge can order you removed in absentia (in your absence). Reopening that order is hard and deadline-driven; see our guide to motions to reopen.
- Keep your own deadlines. A new judge or a new date does not extend a filing deadline unless the court says so in writing.
- If you are detained, ask about a bond hearing and check which court is handling your case.
Frequently asked questions
Will my case be moved to one of the new judges?
It may or may not. EOIR's announcement names the judges and their courts; it does not list which cases each judge will hear. Check the EOIR case portal (opens in new tab) and watch for a new hearing notice.
Does a new judge mean my hearing date changes?
Not automatically. Your hearing date changes only if the court issues a new notice. Until then, appear on the date you have.
Where do I file papers after a reassignment?
With the same immigration court that has your case, unless EOIR moves the case to another court. The judge assignment does not change where the court is.
Is Brian E. Salisbury hearing cases in Cleveland?
EOIR announced his assignment to the Cleveland Immigration Court on August 27, 2026. The court's EOIR page, updated September 16, 2026, did not yet list him. Check the court page for the current list.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Court assignments and hearing schedules can change; confirm your case information with EOIR (opens in new tab) and consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.
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