U.S. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn (R-Texas), along with Congressman Henry Cuellar, (TX-28), released the following statements today after the Senate approved the nomination of U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Saldaña of Laredo to be District Court Judge for the Southern District of Texas:

“I’m glad that we can come together in the spirit of bipartisanship and help work the heavy caseload we have on the border. Judge Saldaña exemplifies the type of person we need to serve in the demanding courts of the Southern Judicial District of Texas,” said Cuellar. “She is a hard-working, talented and intelligent woman with an impressive legal trajectory who will serve the people of Laredo and surrounding areas with dedication and discipline.”

“I am pleased the Senate recognized Judge Diana Saldaña’s outstanding qualifications and has confirmed her for this important post in the Southern District of Texas. She has extensive judicial experience and has handled a caseload of critical issues, ranging from immigration to narcotics to health care. Judge Diana Saldaña’s academic and professional credentials and her breadth of experience will serve her well on the federal bench in Laredo ,” said Hutchison.

“I am pleased the Senate has overwhelmingly confirmed the nomination of Judge Diana Saldaña of Laredo to serve as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas and congratulate her on this significant achievement. It is just the latest in a long line of accomplishments for Judge Saldaña, whose life story and career stand as an inspiration for many,” Cornyn said. “Her journey from summers spent working as a migrant farmer beginning when she was 10 years old, to becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree, and now being nominated by the President to serve as a federal judge truly exemplifies the American dream. I was proud to have recommended her to the President for this nomination and look forward to seeing her continue to succeed and serve Texans with distinction in this new role.”

Ms. Saldaña, 39, hails from Carrizo Springs , Texas , and currently resides in Laredo with her husband, Roberto Arredondo.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas in 1994 and earned her law degree from the University of Texas in 1997. 

Ms. Saldaña began her legal career as a law clerk to Chief Judge George Kazen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  She then worked as a staff attorney for the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture before transferring to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.  From 2000-2001, Ms. Saldaña worked as an associate at Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, LLP in Houston .  She then joined the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.  Ms. Saldaña handled approximately 350 active cases a year, heading up the Human Trafficking Task Force and the Anti-Gang Task Force.

In 2006, Ms. Saldaña  was sworn in as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division.  As a Magistrate Judge, Ms. Saldaña  has handled thousands of illegal entry pleas and sentencings and has presided over thousands of criminal proceedings.  She has one published opinion: Eliserio v. Floydada Housing Auth., 455 F.Supp.2d 648 (S.D. Tex. 2006).