New Immigration Judges at the LaSalle, Oakdale and New Orleans Immigration Courts
Immigration courts: LaSalle Immigration Court, New Orleans Immigration Court, Oakdale Immigration Court · Louisiana Immigration Courts
Between October 2025 and August 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced 13 new judges for three Louisiana immigration courts: five at the LaSalle Immigration Court in Jena, four at the Oakdale Immigration Court and four at the New Orleans Immigration Court. The most recent announcement, dated August 27, 2026, added judges at LaSalle and Oakdale and made a New Orleans temporary judge a permanent one. This summary is current as of September 28, 2026, the date of the EOIR detention-facility list cited below.
This is general information, not legal advice. The sources are EOIR's judge announcements, starting with the August 27, 2026 biographies (opens in new tab), and EOIR's Administrative Control list (opens in new tab).
The new judges, court by court
Each line below comes from the judge's EOIR biography. "Began" is the month EOIR said the judge would start hearing cases.
LaSalle Immigration Court (Jena)
- Nadeem R. Kasam (began May 2026): With USCIS 2015–2025, including as an asylum officer in Houston; State Bar of Texas.
- Larry Downend (began June 2026): U.S. Army judge advocate 2003–2018; State Bar of Texas.
- Melynda Leigh LaBrosse (began June 2026): Senior staff attorney, Labor Department Office of Administrative Law Judges, Covington, La.; Louisiana State Bar.
- Courtenay Patterson (began June 2026): Solo practitioner in Longmont, Colo.; associate judge for several Colorado cities; Colorado and California bars.
- Stephanie Cotton (began August 2026): Legal counsel and hearing officer, Alabama Department of Finance; Alabama State Bar.
Oakdale Immigration Court
- Shannon R. Holderfield (began May 2026): Senior attorney, CBP Office of Chief Counsel, El Paso; State Bar of Texas.
- Ylani A. Hayes (began June 2026): Attorney advisor for the Oakdale and LaSalle immigration courts 2018–2026; Mississippi Bar.
- Russell Wardlow (began July 2026): Senior attorney, CBP Office of Chief Counsel, El Paso; State Bar of California.
- John J. Zachary (began August 2026): ICE assistant chief counsel in Oakdale 2016–2026; Louisiana State Bar.
New Orleans Immigration Court
- Gary Leroy Bergosh (began October 2025): Florida circuit court judge 2007–2024; Florida Bar.
- Mark Carter (began February 2026 (temporary); immigration judge August 2026): Prosecutor in Hancock County, Miss.; Mississippi Bar.
- Jon Paul Calandruccio (began February 2026 (temporary)): U.S. Air Force judge advocate since 2009; Connecticut and New York bars.
- Catherine G. Phillips (began February 2026 (temporary)): Navy special trial counsel; Navy Reserve lieutenant commander; D.C. and Louisiana bars.
Calandruccio and Phillips were announced as temporary immigration judges. Carter was also a temporary judge until EOIR appointed him an immigration judge in August 2026. The full list of judges now sitting at each court is on its EOIR page: LaSalle (opens in new tab), Oakdale (opens in new tab) and New Orleans (opens in new tab).
Which detention centers these courts hear
EOIR's Administrative Control list (updated September 28, 2026) shows which court handles cases from which facilities. LaSalle and Oakdale are mainly detained courts.
- LaSalle lists Bossier, Richwood, the LaSalle Detention Center, River Correctional Facility, Adams County Correctional Facility (Mississippi), FPM Pollock IHP and Angola – Louisiana State Penitentiary.
- Oakdale lists Jackson Parish Correctional Center (Jonesboro), Winnfield, FCO Oakdale IHP, Pine Prairie, Allen Parish, South Louisiana Correctional Center, Federal Detention Center-Oakdale 2 and the Etowah Detention Facility in Gadsden, Alabama.
- New Orleans covers cases from the New Orleans DHS district office (except Memphis).
On September 3, 2025, DHS announced a partnership with Louisiana (opens in new tab) for up to 416 beds at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola). On November 14, 2025, ICE said its New Orleans field office moved (opens in new tab) to 181 James Drive W, St. Rose, LA 70087. ICE said in-person reporting now happens there.
For how detention and release work, see our guides to immigration detention and bond hearings, and bond hearings in immigration detention explained.
What this means if you have a case in Louisiana
- Your judge may change. New judges often take over existing dockets. A new name on your notice does not cancel your hearing.
- Check your hearing every time. Use EOIR's Automated Case Information (opens in new tab) system, online or by its toll-free phone line. You need your A-number.
- Deadlines do not move. Filing deadlines and the judge's orders stay in force after a case is reassigned.
- Keep your address current. File Form EOIR-33 within five days of moving. If you miss a hearing, the judge can order you removed in your absence.
- Bring your evidence. Come ready to go forward on the date set.
More on the process is in our removal proceedings guide and on the Louisiana immigration courts page.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the new judges at the LaSalle Immigration Court?
EOIR announced Nadeem R. Kasam (May 2026), Larry Downend, Melynda Leigh LaBrosse and Courtenay Patterson (June 2026), and Stephanie Cotton (August 2026).
Who are the new judges at the Oakdale Immigration Court?
Shannon R. Holderfield (May 2026), Ylani A. Hayes (June 2026), Russell Wardlow (July 2026) and John J. Zachary (August 2026).
Which new judges joined the New Orleans Immigration Court?
Gary Leroy Bergosh (October 2025) and three temporary immigration judges from February 2026: Mark Carter, Jon Paul Calandruccio and Catherine G. Phillips. Carter was made an immigration judge in August 2026.
Which court hears cases from Angola?
EOIR's Administrative Control list puts the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola under the LaSalle Immigration Court.
If you or a family member has a case in LaSalle, Oakdale or New Orleans, it helps to get advice early. 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