New Immigration Judges at the San Diego, Otay Mesa and Imperial Immigration Courts in 2026
Immigration courts: Imperial Immigration Court, Otay Mesa Immigration Court, San Diego Immigration Court · Southern California Immigration Courts
On September 24, 2026, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the Justice Department agency that runs the immigration courts, announced the swearing in of 47 immigration judges and 6 temporary immigration judges (opens in new tab). According to the biographies EOIR published that day (opens in new tab), four of the new judges were assigned to the San Diego Immigration Court and one to the Imperial Immigration Court. With EOIR's earlier announcements this year, that makes nine judges named to the three immigration courts of San Diego and Imperial counties in 2026, including one at the Otay Mesa Immigration Court.
This is general information about public EOIR announcements, not legal advice. It does not describe how any judge decides cases.
Who joined the three courts in 2026
The list shows each judge EOIR assigned to these courts in its 2026 announcements, the month EOIR says the judge began hearing cases, and the most recent prior position in the EOIR biography.
- Leah A. OBrien (temporary immigration judge), San Diego: began hearing cases in February 2026; announced Feb. 5, 2026 (opens in new tab). Prior position: director of the Navy's Trial Counsel Assistance Program (2025–January 2026).
- Eric Wang, San Diego: began hearing cases in May 2026; announced May 21, 2026 (opens in new tab). Prior position: administrative law judge, California State Hearings Division (2026).
- Andrea Goode, San Diego: began hearing cases in September 2026; announced Sept. 24, 2026. Prior position: attorney-advisor, Federal Emergency Management Agency (2024–2026).
- Natasha Howard, San Diego: began hearing cases in September 2026; announced Sept. 24, 2026. Prior position: supervising deputy attorney general, California Department of Justice, San Diego (2024–2026).
- David W. Illingworth II, San Diego: began hearing cases in September 2026; announced Sept. 24, 2026. Prior position: counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Oklahoma City (2025–2026).
- Kristina Reeves, San Diego: began hearing cases in September 2026; announced Sept. 24, 2026. Prior position: constitutional and appellate law attorney in Phoenix (2019–2021).
- Nickolaus T. Schlegel, Otay Mesa: began hearing cases in July 2026; announced July 29, 2026 (opens in new tab). Prior position: counsel, ICE Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, San Diego (2025–2026).
- Stuart J. Zander, Imperial: began hearing cases in February 2026; announced Feb. 5, 2026. Prior position: assistant U.S. attorney, District of Arizona (2018–2026).
- William R. LaFleur II, Imperial: began hearing cases in September 2026; announced Sept. 24, 2026. Prior position: assistant general counsel at a private company in Phoenix (2025–2026).
Leah A. OBrien was announced as a temporary immigration judge. An announcement shows who EOIR appointed and when; it does not show who is sitting today. EOIR keeps the current bench on each court's page: San Diego (opens in new tab), Otay Mesa (opens in new tab) and Imperial (opens in new tab).
Where the three courts are, and whether they are open
EOIR's operational status page (opens in new tab) listed all three courts as OPEN when this article was written (September 28, 2026):
- San Diego Immigration Court: 880 Front Street, Suite 4240, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Otay Mesa Immigration Court: 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA 92154.
- Imperial Immigration Court: 2409 La Brucherie Road, Imperial, CA 92251.
Our pages on the San Diego Immigration Court, the Otay Mesa Immigration Court and the Imperial Immigration Court have hours, phone numbers and filing details for each court.
What this means if you have a case at San Diego, Otay Mesa or Imperial
A new judge at your court does not by itself change your case. Your hearing notice is still the official source for your date, time, court and judge. Practical steps:
- Check your case status. Use EOIR's Automated Case Information portal at acis.eoir.justice.gov (opens in new tab) or its case information phone line to confirm your next hearing and the court that has your case.
- Read every new notice. Courts sometimes move hearings or reassign cases. Follow the date and place on your most recent notice.
- File at the right court. Send filings to the court that has your case, not to a nearby court.
- Keep your address current. A person in proceedings must tell the court of a new address on Form EOIR-33 within five days of moving (8 CFR 1003.15(d)(2) (opens in new tab)). Notices go to the last address on file.
- Do not miss a hearing. A person who misses a hearing can be ordered removed in absentia.
Our guides to removal proceedings and deportation defense explain the stages of a case in immigration court.
Frequently asked questions
Will a new judge be assigned to my case?
EOIR's announcements name the court each judge joined, not which cases they will hear. Check your hearing notice and the ACIS portal (opens in new tab) for the judge and date on your case.
Is Leah A. OBrien a permanent immigration judge?
EOIR announced her as a temporary immigration judge in February 2026. For who is sitting now, see the San Diego Immigration Court's EOIR page (opens in new tab).
Are the San Diego, Otay Mesa and Imperial immigration courts open?
Yes. EOIR's operational status page listed all three as open on September 28, 2026. Check it again before you travel to court.
Where can I find the full list of judges EOIR announced on September 24, 2026?
In EOIR's biographical information document (opens in new tab) for that date.
If you have a case at the San Diego, Otay Mesa or Imperial immigration court, you can discuss your situation with Carlos Maury, former U.S. Immigration Judge, at (213) 769-0050. Hablamos Español.
Related service: Deportation defense lawyer