The Honorable Immigration Judge Dixon M. Merkt was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in August 2026. Judge Merkt earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2000 from Wesleyan University, a Juris Doctor in 2005 from the University of Miami School of Law, and a Master of Strategic Studies in 2026 from the U.S. Army War College. From August 2025 to July 2026, Judge Merkt served as command judge advocate at Fort Hood with the U.S. Army Reserve, in which he continues to serve at the rank of lieutenant colonel. From August 2020 to September 2025, Judge Merkt served as assistant regional counsel for the U.S. General Services Administration in Fort Worth. From February 2014 to August 2020, Judge Merkt served as an assistant city attorney for the City of Dallas. From July 2008 to December 2013, Judge Merkt served in the U.S. Army as defense counsel at Fort Campbell, as a contract and fiscal law attorney with U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, and as trial counsel at Fort Gordon. From August 2005 to June 2008, Judge Merkt was an associate at Diserio Martin O'Connor & Castiglioni LLP in Stamford, Connecticut. Judge Merkt is a member of the Connecticut Bar and the State Bar of Texas.