New Immigration Judges at the Conroe and Pearsall Detained Courts in Texas
Immigration courts: Conroe Immigration Court, Pearsall Immigration Court · Houston Area Immigration Courts · Texas Immigration Courts
On July 29, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced two more new immigration judges for the Conroe Immigration Court in Texas: Joseph Paul Secola and James M. Worley Jr., who began hearing cases in July 2026. That makes five new judges EOIR has announced for Conroe in 2026. EOIR also announced two new judges for the Pearsall Immigration Court in February. Both courts hear the cases of people held in immigration detention.
This is general information, not legal advice. The sources are EOIR's July 29, 2026 announcement (opens in new tab), its judge biographies (opens in new tab) and the earlier EOIR announcements linked below.
The new judges at the Conroe Immigration Court
All five are immigration judges, not temporary immigration judges.
- Jared M. Kennedy — Began hearing cases: March 2026; From the EOIR biography: Assistant district attorney, Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in Conroe (2020 to February 2026).
- Steven S. Chase — Began hearing cases: May 2026; From the EOIR biography: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in Harlingen, Texas (2019 to April 2026).
- Frank A. Jury II — Began hearing cases: May 2026; From the EOIR biography: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in Pearsall, Texas (2023 to April 2026).
- Joseph Paul Secola — Began hearing cases: July 2026; From the EOIR biography: Private practice in Connecticut, New York and Texas (1984 to July 2026); judge of probate in Brookfield, Connecticut (2001–2011).
- James M. Worley Jr. — Began hearing cases: July 2026; From the EOIR biography: Assistant district attorney, Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office (2017 to July 2026).
EOIR announced Judge Kennedy on March 11, 2026 (opens in new tab), Judges Chase and Jury on May 21, 2026 (opens in new tab), and Judges Secola and Worley on July 29. The court has other judges too; our Conroe Immigration Court page lists the judges sitting there now, and its phone number.
The court is at 806 Hilbig Road, Suite 2-300, 2nd Floor, Conroe, TX 77301, at the Montgomery Processing Center. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed on federal holidays. Conroe is one of the four Houston-area immigration court locations.
The new judges at the Pearsall Immigration Court
On February 5, 2026 (opens in new tab), EOIR announced two immigration judges (not temporary immigration judges) for Pearsall. Both began hearing cases in February 2026.
- Jennifer L. Mazza — From the EOIR biography: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in San Antonio (2023 to January 2026); assistant district attorney, state of Texas (2017–2023).
- Linda L. Chavez — From the EOIR biography: Assistant chief counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor in Pearsall, San Antonio and Harlingen, Texas (2019 to January 2026); U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps (2009–2018).
The court is at 566 Veterans Drive, Pearsall, TX 78061. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on federal holidays. See our Pearsall Immigration Court page for its phone number, and our guide to the Texas immigration courts.
Which detention facilities these courts handle
EOIR's Administrative Control list (opens in new tab) shows which court handles people held at each facility. For Conroe, it lists the Montgomery Processing Center, the Houston Service Processing Center, the Joe Corley Detention Center, the Polk County Detention Center, the Eden Detention Center and the Limestone Detention Center in Groesbeck, with the Houston Contract Detention Facility as another hearing location. It also gives the court a second address: the Houston SPC, 5520 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032.
For Pearsall, it lists the South Texas Detention Facility, the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley and the LaSalle Correctional Center in Cotulla. As other hearing locations it lists the South Texas ICE Processing Center, the Karnes County Residential Center and the Hutto Residential Facility in Taylor.
What this means if you or a family member is detained
- Your case may go to a different judge. The judge on an earlier notice may not be the one at your next hearing.
- Check your case yourself. EOIR's Automated Case Information system, online or by its toll-free line, shows the next hearing date and court for an A-number.
- Deadlines do not move. A new judge does not change deadlines or hearing dates unless the court sends a new notice.
- Keep your address current. After release, report every move to the court on Form EOIR-33, or notices may be missed.
- Bring your evidence to every hearing.
For many detained people the first question is release. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1226(a), the government may release a person on a bond of at least $1,500 or on conditional parole. A person asking for bond usually has to show they are not a danger to the community or a flight risk. Some people fall under mandatory detention in § 1226(c), and then ordinary bond is not available; whether it applies is a technical question. Our bond hearings guide and our article on how immigration bond hearings work explain more. See also our guides to immigration detention and removal proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the new judges at the Conroe Immigration Court?
EOIR announced five in 2026: Jared M. Kennedy (March), Steven S. Chase and Frank A. Jury II (May), and Joseph Paul Secola and James M. Worley Jr. (July).
Who are the new judges at the Pearsall Immigration Court?
Jennifer L. Mazza and Linda L. Chavez, announced on February 5, 2026. Both began hearing cases that month.
How do I know if a detained relative's case is in Conroe or Pearsall?
Check EOIR's Automated Case Information system with the A-number. EOIR's Administrative Control list also shows which court handles each detention facility.
Can a person held at these facilities get a bond?
It depends on the case. Federal law allows a bond of at least $1,500 for many detained people, but mandatory detention bars ordinary bond for others.
Court details can change; confirm them with EOIR (opens in new tab).
In a detained case, the facts decide what options exist. 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: Immigration bond lawyer