The EOIR Selects Three New Immigration Judges

February 15, 2009

Biographical information for the new immigration judges follows.

Cleveland Immigration Court

Thomas W. Janas, Immigration Judge

Judge Janas was appointed as an immigration judge in January 2009. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1973 from Baldwin-Wallace College and a juris doctorate in 1976 from the University of Toledo, College of Law. From September 2007 to October 2008 and 1976 to 1980, Judge Janas was in private practice. From November 1993 to December 2006, he served as a common pleas judge for the State of Ohio. From January 1981 to November 1993, Judge Janas worked as a chief assistant prosecutor for the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office. He is a member of the Ohio Bar.

Kansas City Immigration Court

John R. O’Malley, Immigration Judge

Judge O’Malley was appointed as an immigration judge in January 2009. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1970 and a juris doctorate in 1973, both from St. Louis University. From April 1989 to January 2009, Judge O’Malley served as a circuit judge for the 16^{th Judicial Circuit of Missouri. From December 1981 to April 2008, he also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. Judge O’Malley is a member of the Missouri Bar.}

Miami Immigration Court

Rene D. Mateo, Immigration Judge

Judge Mateo was appointed as an immigration judge in January 2009. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1980 and a master of public administration degree in 1985, both from Florida International University, and a juris doctorate in 1988 from the University of Miami School of Law. From 2003 to January 2009, Judge Mateo served as deputy chief counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. From 1998 to 2003, he served as acting deputy and deputy district counsel with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). From 1995 to 1997, Judge Mateo worked as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. From 1989 to 1995, Judge Mateo served as assistant district counsel with the former INS, entering through the Attorney General’s Honor Program. He is a member of the Florida and District of Columbia bars.