# Memphis Immigration Court and Louisville Hearing Location: The New Judges EOIR Announced

> EOIR has announced 17 new judges for the Memphis Immigration Court and its Louisville hearing location since October 2025. Who they are and what it means.

- Source: https://carlosmaury.law/news/new-immigration-judges-memphis-louisville-court
- Author: Carlos Maury Law
- Published: 2026-09-24
- Updated: 2026-09-28
- Topics: Memphis Immigration Court judges, Louisville immigration court judges, new immigration judges Memphis 2026, Louisville Hearing Location EOIR, Memphis immigration court Brinkley Plaza

On **September 24, 2026**, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced another group of new immigration judges, and one of them, **Robert L. Gray Jr.**, was assigned to the **Memphis Immigration Court**. Counting every EOIR announcement since October 2025, that makes **17 new judges** for Memphis and its **Louisville, Kentucky, hearing location**: 14 at the Memphis court (3 of them temporary immigration judges) and 3 assigned to "Memphis Immigration Court/Louisville Hearing Location."

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)**.

## The court and its Louisville hearing location

- **[Memphis Immigration Court](/memphis-immigration-court):** Brinkley Plaza, 80 Monroe Ave, Suite G-10, Memphis, TN 38103. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (filing window until 4:00 p.m.); closed on federal holidays.
- **[Louisville Hearing Location](/louisville-immigration-court):** EOIR Louisville Hearing Location, 601 W. Broadway, Basement Room 3, Louisville, KY 40202.

Louisville now operates as a hearing location under the Memphis Immigration Court, not as a separate court. EOIR's list says hearing times for the Louisville docket are in **Eastern Time** unless the hearing notice says otherwise. EOIR's **[operational status page](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/immigration-court-operational-status)** lists Memphis as open and the Louisville hearing location as open. The Memphis phone number is on our [Memphis court page](/memphis-immigration-court). Check the court's **[EOIR page](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/memphis-immigration-court)** before you go, since details can change.

## What area the Memphis court covers

EOIR's Administrative Control list, updated September 28, 2026, places under the Memphis Immigration Court the **Memphis, Tennessee DHS sub-office**, which it describes as covering **Louisville, Kentucky; Tennessee; Arkansas; and Mississippi (north of Jackson)**. It also lists these detention facilities under Memphis: Boone County Detention Center, Campbell County Detention Center, Christian County Jail, Daviess County Detention Center, Hopkins County Jail (Madisonville, KY), Kenton County Detention Center (KY), Oldham County Detention Center and West TN Detention Facility.

Our guides to [immigration detention](/immigration/immigration-detention) and [bond hearings](/immigration/bond-hearings) explain how custody cases work.

## The judges EOIR has announced

Each line below comes from the official EOIR biography. "TIJ" means temporary immigration judge.

- **Ryan Thompson** (Memphis; began October 2025): Assistant chief counsel, ICE (2024–2025); Shelby County prosecutor (2014–2024).
- **Matthew A. McLeod** (Memphis; began March 2026): Assistant U.S. attorney, Northern District of Texas (2020–2026). Member of the Tennessee Bar.
- **Rachel L. Wilson (TIJ)** (Memphis; began April 2026): Executive director, Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance (2020–2026). Member of the Mississippi Bar.
- **Meredith Duff** (Memphis; began May 2026): Assistant chief counsel, ICE, Nashville (2025–2026). Member of the Kentucky State Bar.
- **Robert G. Eastman** (Memphis; began May 2026): Assistant state attorney, Viera, Florida (2022–2026); private practice (2010–2022).
- **Mary Foster** (Memphis; began May 2026): Chief assistant prosecutor, Cass County, Michigan (2022–2026).
- **Rhonda M. Tucker** (Memphis; began May 2026): Deputy prosecuting attorney, 11W Judicial District of Arkansas (2005–2026).
- **Casey S. Caton (TIJ)** (Memphis; began May 2026): Air Force judge advocate (2019–2025); Arkansas Air National Guard (2025–2026).
- **Paul J. Hornick (TIJ)** (Memphis; began May 2026): Assistant district attorney general, Rogersville, Tennessee (2022–2026).
- **Craig A. Newell Jr.** (Louisville; began May 2026): Office of Immigration Litigation, Department of Justice (2007–2026).
- **Phoebe D. Riner** (Louisville; began May 2026 (appointed)): Temporary immigration judge at the Sterling Immigration Court (October 2025–April 2026).
- **Natalie Walker** (Louisville; began May 2026): Deputy district attorney, Jefferson County, Alabama (2014–2026).
- **D. Allen Kenny** (Memphis; began July 2026): Deputy chief and associate counsel, USCIS Office of Chief Counsel (2004–2026).
- **K. Kaylin Render** (Memphis; began July 2026): Assistant district attorney, Sullivan County, Tennessee (2005–2026).
- **Sharon M. Schnelle** (Memphis; began July 2026): Assistant chief counsel, ICE, Nashville (since 2025).
- **Angelica M. Powers** (Memphis; began August 2026): Division chief, Bexar County District Attorney's Office (2019–2026).
- **Robert L. Gray Jr.** (Memphis; began September 2026): Deputy general counsel, Mississippi Army National Guard (2024–2026).

EOIR announced these judges on [October 24, 2025](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1415981/dl?inline), [March 11, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1430876/dl?inline), [April 8, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1435381/dl?inline), [May 21, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1441406/dl?inline), [July 29, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1454626/dl?inline), [August 27, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1459376/dl?inline) and [September 24, 2026](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1462446/dl?inline). The 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 Memphis or Louisville

What new judges can mean in practice:

- **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 telephone line (the number is on EOIR's website) to confirm your next hearing date, time, place and judge.
- **Check the time zone.** EOIR says Louisville hearing times are in Eastern Time unless the notice says otherwise.
- **Keep your address current.** If you move, file **Form EOIR-33** with the court within five days. 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 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), and for custody questions our explainer on [bond hearings and immigration detention](/news/bond-hearings-immigration-detention-explained).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is there still a Louisville Immigration Court?

Louisville now operates as a hearing location under the Memphis Immigration Court. The hearing location is at 601 W. Broadway, Basement Room 3, Louisville, KY 40202.

### Who are the newest judges at the Memphis Immigration Court?

The most recent is Robert L. Gray Jr. (September 2026), after Angelica M. Powers (August 2026). At Louisville, EOIR's May 2026 biographies list Craig A. Newell Jr., Phoebe D. Riner and Natalie Walker.

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

It may or may not. Check EOIR's online case portal or its automated telephone line, and follow the latest notice you receive.

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/memphis-immigration-court) and consult a qualified attorney about your situation.

If you have a case at the Memphis Immigration Court or its Louisville hearing location, 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-memphis-louisville-court*