City:All Cities Adelanto Arlington Atlanta Atlanta - ATD Aurora Baltimore Batavia Bloomington Boston Buffalo Chaparral Charlotte Chicago Cleveland Concord Conroe Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso El Paso - EPD Elizabeth Eloy Florence Harlingen Hartford Honolulu Houston Houston - Gessner Houston - Greenspoint Hyattsville Imperial Jena Kansas City Laredo Las Vegas Los Angeles - North Los Angeles - WLA Los Fresnos Lumpkin Memphis Miami Miami - Krome New Orleans New York New York - DET Newark Oakdale Omaha Orlando Otay Mesa Pearsall Philadelphia Phoenix Portland Sacramento San Antonio San Diego San Francisco Santa Ana Seattle Sterling Tacoma Tucson Van Nuys West Valley Judge:Judges listed by name William L. Abbott -- El Paso - EPD Howard E. Achtsam -- Harlingen Justin F. Adams -- San Antonio Susan F. Aikman -- Batavia Nathan N. Aina -- Los Angeles - North Nathan N. Aina -- San Francisco Yon Alberdi -- Las Vegas Yon Alberdi -- Orlando Stuart D. Alcorn -- Pearsall Scott G. Alexander -- Miami - Krome Scott G. Alexander -- Miami Janette L. Allen -- Los Angeles David C. Anderson -- West Valley Jack L. Anderson -- Omaha Michelle Araneta -- Miami Silvia R. Arellano -- Phoenix Saundra H. Arrington -- Lumpkin Olga Attia -- Otay Mesa Kyung S. Auh -- Bloomington Richard Averwater -- Memphis Thomas Ayze -- Miami Terry A. Bain -- New York Quynh Vu Bain -- Arlington Glen R. Baker -- Kansas City Glen R. Baker -- Las Vegas Joyce A. Bakke Varzandeh -- Los Angeles Javier E. Balasquide -- Miami Ira E. Bank -- Los Angeles Edward M. Barcus -- Imperial Philip A. Barr -- Atlanta Robert C. Bartlemay, Sr. -- Phoenix Richard J. Bartolomei, Jr -- San Diego Lori R. Bass -- Los Angeles Mary C. Baumgarten -- Buffalo Dayna M. Beamer -- Honolulu Audra R. Behne -- Los Angeles Michael H. Bennett -- Portland Nimmo Bhagat -- Houston Christine A. Bither -- San Diego Maria N. Bjornerud -- Adelanto Noel A. Brennan -- New York Chris A. Brisack -- Conroe Chris A. Brisack -- Houston Alison M. Brown -- Cleveland Charlotte D. Brown -- Miami Sam Brown, IV -- Houston John Milo Bryant -- Arlington Joanna M. Bukszpan -- New York Valerie A. Burch -- Otay Mesa Valerie A. Burch -- San Francisco Abraham L. Burgess -- Miami Brea C. Burgie -- Denver David H. Burke -- Adelanto David H. Burke -- Los Angeles David H. Burke -- Van Nuys Brian Burke -- Van Nuys Margaret D. Burkhart -- San Antonio Gary D. Burkholder -- San Antonio Lawrence O. Burman -- Arlington Shayne R. Burnham -- New York - DET Jeremy J. Butler -- San Francisco Andrew J. Caborn -- San Francisco Kerri A. Calcador -- Los Angeles Steven D. Caley -- Aurora Nina M. Carbone -- Aurora Lisa Ann J. de Cardona -- Bloomington Lisa Ann J. de Cardona -- Philadelphia Lisa Ann J. de Cardona -- Arlington John B. Carle -- Baltimore John B. Carle -- Philadelphia M. Audrey Carr -- Bloomington William A. Cassidy -- Atlanta - ATD Olivia L. Cassin -- New York Barry S. Chait -- Miami - Krome Teofilo Chapa -- Miami Kevin J. Chapman -- Orlando Shana W. Chen -- Newark David Cheng -- Newark George T. Chew -- New York Raphael Choi -- Arlington Hye Y. Chon -- Los Angeles Jesse B. Christensen -- New York Amit Chugh -- New York Barbara Cigarroa -- Los Fresnos Jesus Clemente -- San Diego Raisa Cohen -- New York Samuel B. Cole -- Chicago Timothy M. Cole -- Miami Susan E. Conley de Castro -- Bloomington Steven J. Connelly -- Batavia Steven J. Connelly -- Buffalo Steven J. Connelly -- New Orleans Charles R. Conroy -- New York Charles R. Conroy -- New York - DET Melanie Corrin -- Denver John W. Cortes -- New York - DET Philip J. Costa -- Los Angeles Elizabeth A Cottor -- Phoenix V. Stuart Couch -- Charlotte John G. Crews II -- Harlingen John G. Crews II -- Los Fresnos Scott D. Criss -- Atlanta Scott D. Criss -- Lumpkin Grady A. Crooks -- Jena David W. Crosland -- Baltimore Thomas G. Crossan Jr. -- San Antonio Matthew J. D'Angelo -- Boston Holly A. D'andrea -- Conroe Daniel J. Daugherty -- Las Vegas John W. Davis -- Eloy John W. Davis -- Tucson Xiomara Davis-Gumbs -- Dallas Alison E. Daw -- San Francisco Zsa Zsa DePaolo -- Otay Mesa James Alan DeVitto -- San Diego Kathryn L. DeAngelis -- Chicago Craig A. Defoe -- Chicago Paul A. Defonzo -- Seattle Ila C. Deiss -- San Francisco Jankhana Desai -- Los Angeles Paula J. Donnolo -- New York Karen M. Donoso Stevens -- Arlington Arlene E. Dorfman -- Los Angeles Lisa Dornell -- Baltimore Evalyn P. Douchy -- New York Blake Doughty -- Atlanta J. Daniel Dowell -- Miami John A. Duck Jr. -- Oakdale Randall Wilson Duncan -- Lumpkin Walter A. Durling -- Baltimore Patrick J. Ehlers -- Philadelphia Lisa Ehrens -- New York Donald R. Eller, Jr. -- San Antonio John P. Ellington -- Baltimore Sarah M. Ellison -- Chicago Sarah M. Ellison -- Harlingen Gary E. Endelman -- Houston Pedro J. Espinal -- Guaynabo D. William Evans, Jr. -- Cleveland Mark S. Evans -- Conroe David W. Evans -- Seattle Timothy R. Everett -- Adelanto Timothy R. Everett -- Los Angeles Samuel M. Factor -- New York Lauren T. Farber -- New York - DET Emily Farrar-Crockett -- Atlanta Emily Farrar-Crockett -- Arlington Robin E. Feder -- Boston Irene C. Feldman -- Eloy Robert A. Fellrath -- Los Angeles Lorely Ramirez Fernandez -- Chaparral Laura C. Figueroa -- San Francisco Leo A. Finston -- Elizabeth Leo A. Finston -- Newark Tammy L. Fitting -- Tacoma Charles Neil Floyd -- Tacoma Randall L. Fluke -- New Orleans Rex J. Ford -- Miami - Krome Nicholas R Ford -- San Francisco Leon J. Francis -- Los Angeles Molly S. Frazer -- Florence D'Anna H. Freeman -- Pearsall LaMonte S. Freerks -- Phoenix Kathleen French -- Chaparral Steven B. Fuller -- Jena John M. Furlong, Jr. -- Boston Paul M. Gagnon -- Boston Scott D. Gambill -- San Francisco Madeline Garcia -- Miami Melissa Joy Garcia -- Harlingen Annie S. Garcy -- Newark Annie S. Garcy -- Philadelphia Ivan Gardzelewski -- Denver Jennifer I. Gaz -- Eloy Loreto S. Geisse -- San Francisco Loreto S. Geisse -- Sacramento Marcos Gemoets -- Houston Amber D George -- San Francisco Victoria L. Ghartey -- Orlando Jennie L. Giambastiani -- Chicago John M. Gillies -- Atlanta Lena Golovnin -- New York Kuyomars Golparvar -- Baltimore Delia I. Gonzalez -- Harlingen Yvonne S. Gonzalez -- San Antonio Deborah K. Goodwin -- Miami Cynthia Gordon -- New York Vivienne E. Gordon-Uruakpa -- New York Jennifer M. Gorland -- Detroit Stephanie E. Gorman -- Houston Guy G. Grande -- San Diego Charles S. Greene III -- San Francisco Saul Greenstein -- Conroe Saul Greenstein -- Houston Christopher M. Greer -- West Valley James K. Grim -- Orlando Marni Guerrero -- Florence Marni Guerrero -- Los Angeles Monica Thompson Guidry -- Harlingen Monica Thompson Guidry -- Houston Paul M. Habich -- Eloy Paul M. Habich -- Imperial Catherine E. Halliday-Roberts -- Otay Mesa Renae M. Hansell -- Memphis Katherine L. Hansen -- Bloomington Dorothy A. Harbeck -- New York Craig A. Harlow -- San Antonio Rodger C. Harris -- Charlotte Rodger C. Harris -- Arlington Monique Harris -- Houston Monique Harris -- Orlando Brandon L. Hart -- San Antonio Alice Song Hartye -- Baltimore Miriam R. Hayward -- San Francisco Denise A. Hinds Roach -- Newark Roxanne C. Hladylowycz -- Arlington Denise C. Hochul -- Buffalo Mindy E. Hoeppner -- Portland Theresa Holmes-Simmons -- Charlotte Rebecca L. Holt -- Memphis Dalin Holyoak -- Miami Dalin Holyoak -- San Francisco Sandy K. Hom -- New York Howard C. Hom -- New York Charles M. Honeyman -- Philadelphia J. Traci Hong -- Arlington Forrest W. Hoover, III -- Buffalo Michael C. Horn -- Miami Monte J. Horton -- Cleveland Monte J. Horton -- New York - DET Robert S. Hough -- El Paso Wayne K. Houser, Jr. -- Atlanta Justin W. Howard -- Kansas City Lily C Hsu -- Los Angeles - North Natalie B. Huddleston -- Los Angeles Keith E. Hunsucker -- Los Fresnos Bruce Imbacuan -- Houston Henry P. Ipema Jr. -- San Diego Jacqueline J. Jackson -- San Francisco Lincoln S. Jalelian -- Boston Richard A. Jamadar -- Houston Rebecca B. Jamil -- San Francisco Jaime Jasso -- Los Angeles Amanda Jeannopoulos -- Newark Mark J. Jebson -- Detroit Jeremiah Johnson -- San Francisco Shane E. Johnson -- Seattle Kelly S. Johnson -- Louisville David M. Jones -- Baltimore Carlos R. Juelle -- Los Angeles Alison R. Kane -- Denver Stuart F. Karden -- Orlando Melissa Beth Karlen -- Phoenix Matthew Kaufman -- Denver Matthew Kaufman -- Memphis Sean H. Keenan -- Tucson Wynne P. Kelly -- Arlington Elizabeth A. Kessler -- Baltimore Amiena Khan -- New York Anwer A. Khan -- Houston R. Wayne Kimball -- Dallas Carol A. King -- San Francisco Daniel P. Kinnicutt -- Louisville Deborah E. Klahr -- New York Eliza C. Klein -- Chicago David C. Koelsch -- Baltimore Margaret M. Kolbe -- New York Margaret M. Kolbe -- New York - DET Theodora N. Kouris -- New York Brigitte Laforest -- New York Cynthia A. Lafuente-Gaona -- San Antonio Kelly B. Lake -- San Francisco Elizabeth A. Lamb -- New York Brent H. Landis -- Jena Elizabeth G. Lang -- Chicago W. Scott Laragy -- Oakdale Joseph La Rocca -- New Orleans Alexandra R. Larsen -- Omaha Jan D. Latimore -- Los Angeles Philip S. Law -- San Diego Amy T. Lee -- Adelanto Amy T. Lee -- Charlotte Mary C. Lee -- Philadelphia Edward Lee -- Los Angeles Frederic G. Leeds -- New York James M. Left -- Adelanto Lisa W. Ling -- New York - DET Daniel Lippman -- Orlando Monica M. Little -- Los Angeles Anna C. Little -- San Francisco Maria M. Lopez-Enriquez -- Miami - Krome F. James Loprest Jr. -- New York Lisa Luis -- Conroe Lolita M. Lukose -- Arlington Maria Lurye -- New York Joshua D. Luskin -- Chicago Joren Lyons -- Portland Joren Lyons -- San Francisco Zakia Mahasa -- Baltimore Anthony E. Maingot -- Miami Njeri B. Maldonado -- Atlanta Njeri B. Maldonado -- Lumpkin Rosalind K. Malloy -- Philadelphia Daniel H. Malvin -- Los Angeles Stephen E. Mander -- Miami Elise M. Manuel -- Newark Elise M. Manuel -- Arlington Dana Leigh Marks -- San Francisco Denise A. Marks Lane -- Miami Charlotte S. Marquez -- New Orleans Eric W. Marsteller -- New Orleans Anibal D. Martinez -- San Antonio Lourdes Martinez-Esquivel -- Miami Nicholas A. Martz -- Los Angeles Nicholas A. Martz -- Oakdale Todd A. Masters -- Boston Jason R. Masterson -- San Francisco Rene D. Mateo -- Miami Carlos E. Maury -- Los Angeles - North Jennifer A. May -- Conroe Jennifer A. May -- Houston Sarah B. Mazzie -- Bloomington James M. McCarthy -- New York James F. McCarthy, III -- Cleveland Paul A. McCloskey -- Arlington Charles M. McCullough -- San Antonio Ann M. McDermott -- Las Vegas Michael G. McFarland -- New York Elizabeth H. McGrail -- Aurora Erica J. McGuirk -- Houston R. Reid McKee -- Pearsall Patrick M. McKenna -- Chicago Margaret McManus -- New York Leila McNeill Mullican -- Newark Robert B.C. McSeveney -- Seattle Francisco Mendez -- Arlington Jeffrey L. Menkin -- New York Abby L. Meyer -- Omaha Ian D. Midgley -- Jena Vernon B. Miles -- Memphis Vernon B. Miles -- San Antonio Jeffrey S. Miller -- Los Angeles Nancy E. Miller -- Los Angeles Monte G. Miller -- Bloomington Philip J. Montante, Jr -- Orlando Philip L. Morace -- New York Steven A. Morley -- Philadelphia Daniel A. Morris -- Elizabeth Daniel A. Morris -- Hartford Matthew E. Morrissey -- Omaha Dion A. Morwood -- San Francisco Jennifer A Mulcahy -- Boston Thomas J. Mulligan -- New York - DET Lorraine J. Munoz -- Los Angeles - North Angela Munson -- Jena Anthony S. Murry -- San Francisco Deepali Nadkarni -- Arlington Jeffery R. Nance -- Charlotte Jeffery R. Nance -- Lumpkin Samia Naseem -- Chicago Tara Naselow-Nahas -- Adelanto Tara Naselow-Nahas -- Los Angeles Tara Naselow-Nahas -- Los Angeles - North Tara Naselow-Nahas -- Van Nuys Maria E. Navarro -- New York Barbara A. Nelson -- New York Julie Nelson -- San Francisco Marsha K. Nettles -- Miami David Neumeister -- Los Angeles David Neumeister -- Sacramento Rifian S. Newaz -- San Antonio An Mai Nguyen -- Los Angeles An Mai Nguyen -- Las Vegas Bao Q. Nguyen -- Houston James A. Nugent -- Dallas Patrick S. O'Brien -- San Francisco Matthew O'Brien -- Arlington Lee A. O'Connor -- Los Angeles Lee A. O'Connor -- San Diego Thomas Michael O'Leary -- Tucson Brenda M. O'Malley -- Boston Maureen S. O'Sullivan -- Boston Donald C. O'Hare -- Denver John C. Odell -- Tacoma Kristin W. Olmanson -- Bloomington Morris I. Onyewuchi -- Los Fresnos Adam Opaciuch -- Miami - Krome John Opaciuch -- Miami - Krome Rafael B. Ortiz-Segura -- Orlando Robert P. Owens -- Arlington Jonathan W. Owens -- Cleveland Richard R. Ozmun -- Dallas Nelson A. Vargas-Padilla -- Baltimore Jennifer L. Page-Lozano -- Miami Jennifer L. Page-Lozano -- Orlando Brian T. Palmer -- New York Jacinto Palomino -- Chaparral Brett M. Parchert -- Seattle Jeannette L. Park -- Los Angeles Joseph Y. Park -- San Francisco Ana L. Partida -- Otay Mesa David H. Paruch -- Detroit Sebastian T. Patti -- Los Angeles Nancy J. Paul -- Omaha Robin Kandell Paulino -- San Francisco Walter L. Paulissen -- Pearsall Charles E. Pazar -- Memphis Jonathan D. Pelletier -- Atlanta José Luis Peñalosa Jr. -- Adelanto José Luis Peñalosa Jr. -- Eloy Virginia Perez-Guzman -- Chicago Virginia Perez-Guzman -- Dallas Helaine R. Perlman -- Arlington Anne Kristina Perry -- Imperial Anne Kristina Perry -- Los Angeles Rose C. Peters -- Los Angeles Barry J. Pettinato -- Charlotte Jennifer I. Peyton -- Chicago Susan Phan -- San Francisco Richard A. Phelps -- Eloy Georgina M. Picos -- Houston Cory M. Picton -- San Francisco Kristin Piepmeier -- Los Angeles - North Laura N. Pierro -- New York Frank T. Pimentel -- Los Fresnos Michael S. Pleters -- El Paso - EPD Aviva L. Poczter -- New York Jason L. Pope -- Elizabeth Robert L. Powell -- Conroe Robert L. Powell -- Los Fresnos Christian M. Pressman -- Imperial Justin M. Price -- San Francisco Francisco R. Prieto -- New York - DET Laura L. Ramirez -- San Francisco Clarease Rankin Yates -- Houston Clarease Rankin Yates -- Houston - Gessner Ramin Rastegar -- Newark Irene M. Recio -- Miami Agnelis L. Reese -- Oakdale John B. Reid -- Batavia Renee L. Renner -- San Diego John W. Richardson -- Phoenix Jennifer M. Riedthaler-Williams -- Cleveland Jennifer M. Riedthaler-Williams -- San Francisco Alberto J. Riefkohl -- Newark George W. Riggs -- Charlotte George W. Riggs -- Miami Kevin W. Riley -- Los Angeles - North Teresa L. Riley -- Cleveland Lindsy M. Roberts -- Las Vegas Lourdes A. Rodriguez de Jongh -- Miami Patricia A. Rohan -- New York Jeffrey L. Romig -- Las Vegas Jeffrey L. Romig -- San Diego Robin J. Rosche -- Chicago Jerome M. Rothschild, Jr. -- Lumpkin Rachel A. Ruane -- Los Angeles Shifra Rubin -- Newark Walter Hammele Ruehle -- Buffalo Stephen M. Ruhle -- El Paso - EPD Roger F. Sagerman -- Bloomington Cathy Sagesse -- New York Jayme Salinardi -- Kansas City Kaarina Salovaara -- Chicago Eva S. Saltzman -- Chicago Charles J. Sanders -- Miami Daniel J. Santander -- San Antonio Sandra J. Santos-Garcia -- Adelanto Billy J. Sapp -- Conroe Brian Sardelli -- Bloomington Patrick Savage -- San Francisco Theresa M. Scala -- Tacoma Paul W. Schmidt -- Arlington Shelly W. Schools -- Harlingen Douglas B. Schoppert -- New York Joseph C. Scott -- Philadelphia Alice Segal -- New York Christopher R. Seppanen -- Cleveland Munish Sharda -- Las Vegas Munish Sharda -- Phoenix Pallavi S. Shirole -- Elizabeth Ilyce S. Shugall -- San Francisco Helen J. Sichel -- New York Stuart A. Siegel -- Miami - Krome Stuart A. Siegel -- Miami Gregory L. Simmons -- San Francisco Ian Robert Simons -- Adelanto Ian Robert Simons -- Detroit Anita L. Simons -- Los Angeles Jonathan S. Simpson -- Otay Mesa Deitrich H. Sims -- Dallas Darcy D. Sitgraves -- Los Angeles Denise N. Slavin -- Baltimore Andrea H. Sloan -- Portland Thomas G. Snow -- Arlington Rico M. Sogocio -- Miami Emmett D. Soper -- Arlington Vance H. Spath -- Arlington Oshea Denise Spencer -- New York Linda Inez Spencer-Walters -- Eloy Linda Inez Spencer-Walters -- Phoenix Jem C. Sponzo -- New York Christine E. Stancill -- Los Angeles Shadee M. Star -- San Francisco Michael W. Straus -- Hartford Mario J. Sturla -- Boston Arwen Ann Swink -- San Francisco Afsaneh Ashley Tabaddor -- Los Angeles Mirlande Tadal -- Elizabeth Bruce A. Taylor -- Florence Brock E. Taylor -- Chaparral Cassie A. Thogersen -- Jena Donald W. Thompson -- New York Eric J. Tijerina -- San Antonio Cynthia Shepherd Torg -- Arlington Lilliana Torreh-Bayouth -- Miami Frank M. Travieso -- Los Angeles - North Gwendylan E. Tregerman -- Boston Dan Trimble -- Lumpkin Eileen R. Trujillo -- Denver P. Michael Truman -- West Valley Mimi Tsankov -- New York Mimi Tsankov -- New York - DET Meredith B. Tyrakoski -- Pearsall Meredith B. Tyrakoski -- San Antonio Gita Vahid-Tehrani -- Los Angeles Dinesh C. Verma -- Baltimore Dinesh C. Verma -- Philadelphia Philip Verrillo -- Hartford Gabriel C. Videla -- Miami Veronica S. Villegas -- Los Angeles Robert D. Vinikoor -- Chicago Bridget Virchis -- Los Angeles Alan A. Vomacka -- New York Clarence M. Wagner Jr. -- Honolulu Nathaniel B. Walker -- Adelanto Michael G. Walleisa -- Miami John F. Walsh -- Seattle Richard D. Walton -- Conroe Richard D. Walton -- Houston Lynn Wang -- Houston George J. Ward Jr. -- Bloomington Jason R. Waterloo -- Los Angeles Polly A. Webber -- San Francisco Robert D. Weisel -- New York Daniel H. Weiss -- Dallas David C. Whipple -- Cleveland Phillip T. Williams -- Baltimore Earle B. Wilson -- Atlanta Tamar H. Wilson -- Newark Hayden E. Windrow -- Seattle Ryan R. Wood -- Bloomington Virna A. Wright -- New York Elizabeth L. Young -- San Francisco Randa Zagzoug -- New York Richard Zanfardino -- Portland Richard Zanfardino -- Tacoma Report Series:Past Report - 2020 Past Report - 2021 Past Report - 2022 Past Report - 2023 Latest Report (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
Judge Ian D. Midgley
FY 2016 - 2021, Jena Immigration Court
Attorney General William Barr appointed Ian D. Midgley to begin hearing cases in October2019. Judge Midgley earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1995 from Youngstown State University and aJuris Doctor in 1998 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. From 2014 to 2019,he served as a supervisory administrative law judge with the Office of Medicare Hearings andAppeals, Department of Health and Human Services, in Miami. From 2008 to 2014, he served asan assistant chief counsel, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and CustomsEnforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Orlando, Florida. From 2006 to 2008, heserved as an active duty judge advocate for the U.S. Navy, in Yokosuka, Japan. From 2001 to2006, he served as an active duty judge advocate with the U.S. Army, in Kitzingen, Germany,and at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Since 2009, he has served as a judge advocate with theU.S. Navy Reserve. Judge Midgley is a member of the Florida Bar.
Deciding Asylum Cases
Figure 1: Percent of Asylum Matters Denied
Detailed data on Judge Midgley decisions were examined for the period covering
fiscal years 2016 through 2021. During this period, Judge
Midgley is recorded as deciding 105 asylum claims on their merits. Of these,
he granted 11, gave no conditional grants, and denied 94.
Converted to percentage terms, Midgley denied 89.5 percent and granted (including
conditional grants) 10.5 percent. Figure 1 provides a comparison of Judge Midgley's
denial rate fiscal year-by-year over this recent period.
(Rates for years with less than 25 decisions are not shown.)
Nationwide Comparisons
Compared to Judge Midgley's denial rate of 89.5 percent, nationally
during this same period, immigration court judges denied 67.6 percent
of asylum claims. In the Jena Immigration Court where Judge Midgley
was based, judges there denied asylum 91.9 percent of the time. See Figure 2.
Figure 2: Comparing Denial Rates (percents)
Judge Midgley can also be ranked compared to each of the 558 individual immigration judges
serving during this period who rendered at least one hundred decisions in a city's immigration court. If judges were ranked
from 1 to 558 - where 1 represented the highest denial percent and 558
represented the lowest - Judge Midgley here receives a rank of 136. That is 135
judges denied asylum at higher rates, and 422 denied asylum at the same
rate or less often. Ranks are tallied separately for each immigration court. Should a judge serve on more than one court
during this period, separate ranks would be assigned in any court that the judge rendered at least 100 asylum decisions in.
Why Do Denial Rates Vary Among Judges?
Denial rates reflect in part the differing composition of cases assigned to
different immigration judges. For example, being represented in court and the nationality
of the asylum seeker appear to often impact decision outcome. Decisions also appear to
reflect in part the personal perspective that the judge brings to the bench.
Figure 3: Asylum Seeker Had Representation
Representation
If an asylum seeker is not represented by an
attorney, almost all (88%) of them are denied asylum. In contrast, a
significantly higher proportion of represented asylum seekers are successful.
In the case of Judge Midgley, 47.6% were not
represented by an attorney. See Figure 3. For the nation as a whole,
about 18.3% of asylum seekers are not represented.
Nationality
Asylum seekers are a
diverse group. Over one hundred different nationalities had at least one hundred
individuals claiming asylum decided during this period. As might be expected,
immigration courts located in different parts of the country tend to have
proportionately larger shares from some countries than from others. And, given
the required legal grounds for a successful asylum claim, asylum seekers
from some nations tend to be more successful than others.
Figure 4: Asylum Decisions by Nationality
For Judge Midgley, the largest group of asylum seekers appearing before him came
from Cuba. Individuals from this nation made up 41.9 % of his caseload.
Other nationalities in descending order of frequency appearing before Judge Midgley were:
Nicaragua (10.5 %), Honduras (5.7%), Cameroon (4.8%), Guatemala (3.8%).
See Figure 4.
In the nation as a whole during this same period, major nationalities of asylum
seekers, in descending order of frequency, were El Salvador (18.7%), Guatemala (16.0%), Honduras (15.0%), Mexico (11.8%), China (8.4%), India (3.8%), Cuba (2.7%), Haiti (1.8%), Venezuela (1.6%), Cameroon (1.5%), Nicaragua (1.2%), Nepal (1.2%), Ecuador (1.1%).