David Ayala

Of Counsel

The Law Office of Ayala & Acosta PLLC is proud to welcome Judge David Ayala (Ret.) to the law firm as Of Counsel. Judge Ayala, retired last month after nearly 24 years as an Immigration Judge. 

Judge Ayala was appointed as an Immigration Judge in 1993. During his tenure, he presided over thousands of cases including asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, and bond requests. He served as a visiting Immigration Judge in immigration courts throughout the country, including New York City, Orlando, Chicago, and Guam. He also served as an appellate judge with the Board of Immigration Appeals in Falls Church, Virginia.

Prior to being appointed to the Immigration Court, Judge Ayala served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division for the Southern District of Texas between 1988-1993. He also worked as a trial attorney (1983 – 1986) and as District Counsel (1986 – 1988) for the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in Harlingen, Texas.  

Judge Ayala is a native of Pharr, Texas. He received his undergraduate degree from the Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas, and his J.D. from the University of Houston School of Law. He is a member of the Texas Bar and is licensed to practice before the Immigration Courts and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.