Orlando Immigration Court: The 17 New Judges EOIR Assigned Since October 2025

Immigration court: Orlando Immigration Court · Florida Immigration Courts

On September 24, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced 47 new immigration judges and 6 temporary immigration judges, and four of them were assigned to the Orlando Immigration Court. Counting every EOIR announcement since October 2025, that makes 17 new judges for Orlando: 13 immigration judges and 4 temporary immigration judges. The newest four were sworn in at an investiture held that day at the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

This is general information, not legal advice. The sources are EOIR's judge announcements, including the September 24, 2026 release (opens in new tab) and its biographies (opens in new tab).

The new judges EOIR has announced for Orlando

Each line below comes from the judge's official EOIR biography, which states the court and the month the judge began hearing cases.

• Joshua Hawkes (temporary), began hearing cases in October 2025. Florida circuit judge (2020–2025); U.S. Navy since 2003. Member of the Florida Bar.
• Nicole Mouakar (temporary), began hearing cases in February 2026. Office of the Federal Public Defender, Middle District of Florida (2016–January 2026). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Jeffry S. Brady, began hearing cases in March 2026. Defense contracting, FBI task force and security roles (2004–February 2026); U.S. Marine Corps (1984–2004). Member of the Indiana State Bar.
• James A. Klinedinst, began hearing cases in March 2026. Assistant staff judge advocate, U.S. Air Force (2015–2025). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Harold "Hal" Ronald Moroz, began hearing cases in March 2026. Deputy chief assistant district attorney in Georgia (2016–2025). Member of the State Bar of Georgia.
• Thomas C. Allmond (temporary), began hearing cases in April 2026. Partner at Chartwell Law in Tampa (2025–March 2026). Member of the Florida Bar and North Carolina Bar.
• Matthew A. Kozyra (temporary), began hearing cases in April 2026. Litigation attorney in Orlando (2023–March 2026); assistant state attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit (2018–2023). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Peter C. Faerber, began hearing cases in May 2026. Branch head of Legal Assistance, Headquarters Marine Corps (2024–May 2026). Member of the Ohio State Bar.
• Thomas B. Fighter, began hearing cases in May 2026. Owner of Fighter Law in Orlando (2011–April 2026). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Christopher R. Ford, began hearing cases in May 2026. Counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Orlando (January–May 2026). Member of the New Jersey State Bar and the Pennsylvania Bar.
• Robert G. Palmer, began hearing cases in May 2026. Associate counsel, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2022–May 2026). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Mark S. Miller, began hearing cases in July 2026. County court judge, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando (2024–July 2026). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Jeffrey T. McCluskey, began hearing cases in August 2026. Assistant district attorney, Madison County, Alabama (1997–2023). Member of the Alabama State Bar.
• James J. Cavagnaro, began hearing cases in September 2026. Supervisory immigration services officer, USCIS Orlando Field Office (2024–September 2026). Member of the State Bar of California and the Colorado Bar.
• Shawn P. Hammond, began hearing cases in September 2026. Assistant chief counsel, ICE, Columbia, South Carolina (January–September 2026). Member of the State Bar of Georgia.
• Hector Hernandez Jr., began hearing cases in September 2026. Attorney, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Orlando (2025–September 2026). Member of the Florida Bar.
• Felicia Holloman, began hearing cases in September 2026. Assistant city attorney, City of Fort Pierce (2024–August 2026). Member of the Florida Bar.

EOIR announced these judges on October 24, 2025 (opens in new tab), February 5, 2026 (opens in new tab), March 11, 2026 (opens in new tab), April 8, 2026 (opens in new tab), May 21, 2026 (opens in new tab), July 29, 2026 (opens in new tab), August 27, 2026 (opens in new tab) and September 24, 2026 (opens in new tab). The biographies call Hawkes, Mouakar, Allmond and Kozyra temporary immigration judges; the other 13 are immigration judges. Orlando also has judges who were there before these announcements. Our Orlando Immigration Court page lists the judges sitting there now.

The court and its detention docket

The Orlando Immigration Court is at 500 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 1100, Orlando, FL 32801. EOIR's operational status page (opens in new tab) lists it as open. The court's phone number is on its EOIR page and on our court page. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (filings until 4:00 p.m.), and closed on federal holidays. Check the court's EOIR page (opens in new tab) before you call or go, since details can change.

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 Orlando it lists the Orlando, FL DHS sub-office and these facilities:

• Baker Correctional Institution
• Baker County Detention Center, Macclenny, FL
• Liberty County Jail
• Flagler County Jail
• FCC Coleman

The same list puts the Central Florida Reception Center in Orlando under the Miami court, not Orlando. If a family member is detained, confirm which court has the case. Our Florida immigration courts guide covers the other Florida courts. For how custody and release work, see our explainer on bond hearings and immigration detention.

What this means if you have a case in Orlando

When new judges join a court, some cases can move to a different judge's docket. What that means 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 (ACIS) or its automated telephone line (the number is on EOIR's website) to confirm your next hearing date, time and judge.
• Keep your address current. If you move, file Form EOIR-33 with the court within five days. 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

How many new judges has EOIR assigned to the Orlando Immigration Court?

From October 2025 to September 2026, EOIR announced 17 new judges for Orlando: 13 immigration judges and 4 temporary immigration judges.

Who are the newest judges at the Orlando court?

EOIR's September 24, 2026 announcement named James J. Cavagnaro, Shawn P. Hammond, Hector Hernandez Jr. and Felicia Holloman. Each began hearing cases in September 2026.

Which detention facilities does the Orlando Immigration Court handle?

EOIR's Administrative Control list, updated September 28, 2026, lists Baker Correctional Institution, Baker County Detention Center (Macclenny), Liberty County Jail, Flagler County Jail and FCC Coleman, plus the Orlando DHS sub-office.

Will a new judge change my hearing date?

Not necessarily. If your case is reassigned, the court will send a notice. Check ACIS or EOIR's automated telephone line, and keep your address current with Form EOIR-33.

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 Orlando 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: Immigration bond lawyer