Attorney General Eric Holder appointed Judge Sharda to Las Vegas Immigration Court.  Hon. Sharda began hearing cases in June 2015. 

Judge Sharda received a bachelor of arts degree in 1997 from the University of California, Irvine and a juris doctorate in 2000 from the University of Wisconsin Law School.  From April 2005 to May 2015, Judge Sharda served as assistant U.S. attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.  From 2000 to 2005, he served in the U.S. Air Force, Judge Advocate General’s Corps.  Judge Sharda is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has oversight over the immigration courts nationwide, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, which has appellate review over immigration judge decisions.

In immigration court, aliens appear before an immigration judge and either contest or concede the charges against them. In some instances, the immigration judge adjourns the case and sets a continuance date. The alien may file an application for relief or protection and, after hearing the merits of the case, the immigration judge renders a decision, either ordering the alien removed, or granting relief or protection from removal.  Immigration judges also consider matters such as bonds and motions.

During FY2014 the number of immigration matters increased nationwide by 10 percent while at the same time number of matters the immigration courts completed decreased significantly.  In Las Vegas, the numbers of immigration matters increased by 7 percent to 2,287 in 2014 compared to 2,131 in 2013.

Hon. Sharda is one of the 18 immigration judges appointed nationwide.   In welcoming the new appointees, Executive Director of EOIR Juan P. Osuna said “Some of you have had distinguished careers in the private sector, public interest organizations and other tribunals.  Some come to EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review) from state agencies and courts, or have served in the military justice system.  But as the selection process made clear, all of you share a passion for the law, for justice and for serving our country.”