15 New Immigration Judges Join the San Antonio, Laredo and Harlingen Immigration Courts
Immigration courts: Harlingen Immigration Court, Laredo Immigration Court, San Antonio Immigration Court · Texas Immigration Courts
On September 24, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the Justice Department agency that runs the immigration courts, announced its latest group of new immigration judges. It includes three more judges for South Texas. Counting EOIR's announcements from October 2025 through September 2026, 15 new immigration judges have been assigned to the San Antonio, Laredo and Harlingen immigration courts: seven in San Antonio, five in Laredo and three in Harlingen.
This is general information, not legal advice. The source is EOIR's official announcements and judge biographies, most recently EOIR Announces 47 Immigration Judges and 6 Temporary Immigration Judges (opens in new tab) (biographies (opens in new tab)).
Who the new judges are
Each person below is listed in an EOIR biography as an immigration judge (none of them as a temporary immigration judge) for the court shown. The month is when EOIR says the judge was appointed to begin hearing cases.
San Antonio Immigration Court
- Kamra Sellers Craig — Began hearing cases: May 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel (2019–2026); solo practice in Jena, Louisiana.
- Keira A. Poellet — Began hearing cases: May 2026; Background (per EOIR): U.S. Air Force attorney (2005–2022), retired lieutenant colonel.
- Maureen H. Zumwalt — Began hearing cases: May 2026; Background (per EOIR): Texas assistant attorney general (2024–2026); elected district attorney, Moore County, N.C.
- Brittany A. Rodriquez — Began hearing cases: June 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel in Chaparral, New Mexico (2020–2026).
- Warren R. Kaufman — Began hearing cases: July 2026; Background (per EOIR): Assistant U.S. attorney in San Antonio (2022–2026); ICE assistant chief counsel (2007–2022).
- M. Keiling (Keil) Hackley — Began hearing cases: September 2026; Background (per EOIR): Law-firm practice (1998–2025); former INS asylum officer and trial attorney in Miami.
- Michele M. Renteria — Began hearing cases: September 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE counsel in Chaparral, New Mexico (2019–2026); Texas assistant attorney general.
Laredo Immigration Court
- Jesus Juan Ybarra — Began hearing cases: October 2025; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel; immigration judge at Laredo from December 2024 to February 2025.
- Jerome M. Day — Began hearing cases: May 2026; Background (per EOIR): Solo practitioner in Edmond, Oklahoma; administrative law judge, Oklahoma Real Estate Commission.
- Victoria E. Mendoza — Began hearing cases: June 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel in Houston; Texas administrative law judge (2024–2025).
- William Velez Quinones — Began hearing cases: June 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel in Houston (2023–2026); USCIS asylum officer (2016–2023).
- Alison Fox — Began hearing cases: August 2026; Background (per EOIR): Research attorney, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (2021–2026).
Harlingen Immigration Court
- Adam Rodriguez — Began hearing cases: March 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel in Harlingen (2016–2026).
- Andrew Galvao — Began hearing cases: April 2026; Background (per EOIR): ICE assistant chief counsel in Houston and at the Port Isabel Detention Center (2023–2026).
- Laura Allison Ramos — Began hearing cases: September 2026; Background (per EOIR): Own law office in Corpus Christi; federal Criminal Justice Act panel attorney.
"ICE assistant chief counsel" means an attorney who represents the government in immigration court.
Which detention facilities these courts cover
EOIR's Administrative Control list (opens in new tab) says which court handles cases from which detention centers and DHS offices. For these three courts it lists:
- San Antonio: the DHS San Antonio District Office, the Compass Connections facility in San Antonio, and the Jack Harwell Detention Center.
- Laredo: the Laredo Rio Grande Detention Center, the Laredo Detention Center, the Webb County Detention Center, the Laredo Processing Center, FCI Big Springs, and the Laredo and Del Rio ports of entry.
- Harlingen: the DHS Harlingen District Office (with hearings held at the Hidalgo International Bridge), Urban Strategies San Benito and the Brownsville International Gateway Bridge.
If a family member is held at one of these places, their case may be heard by that court. See our guide to bond hearings and immigration detention.
What this means if you have a case in these courts
A new judge does not change the law or the facts of your case. In practice:
- Your case may be moved to a different judge. When courts add judges, cases can be reassigned, and the hearing date, time or format can change.
- Check your hearing often. Use EOIR's online Automated Case Information portal (ACIS) or its automated case-information phone line, with your A-number.
- Keep your address current. If you move, file Form EOIR-33 with the court promptly. Notices go to the address on file, and missing a hearing can lead to a removal order in your absence.
- Deadlines do not move. A new judge does not extend filing deadlines. Prepare your evidence and witnesses as scheduled.
For how a case moves from the Notice to Appear to a decision, see removal proceedings. The Texas immigration courts page lists every court in the state.
Frequently asked questions
How many new immigration judges went to San Antonio, Laredo and Harlingen?
Fifteen (seven, five and three, respectively), according to EOIR announcements from October 2025 through September 24, 2026.
Will my hearing be with one of the new judges?
It may be. Cases can be reassigned when judges join a court. Check your case in ACIS before every hearing, and read every notice the court sends you.
Does a new judge change my deadlines?
No. Your deadlines stay the same unless the court issues a new notice or order.
Where can I confirm the judges and court information?
In EOIR's announcements and biographies linked above and on EOIR's page for each court.
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