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 -- Laredo 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 Roberto Amaya -- Los Angeles - North David C. Anderson -- West Valley Jack L. Anderson -- Omaha Amelia Anderson -- Otay Mesa Michelle Araneta -- Miami Silvia R. Arellano -- Phoenix Saundra H. Arrington -- Lumpkin Olga Attia -- Otay Mesa Kyung S. Auh -- Bloomington Kyung S. Auh -- New York - DET 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 John C. Barnes -- Arlington Philip A. Barr -- Atlanta Robert C. Bartlemay, Sr. -- Phoenix Thomas Bartleson -- New York Richard J. Bartolomei, Jr -- San Diego Lori R. Bass -- Los Angeles Mary C. Baumgarten -- Batavia 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 Kevin Brown -- Houston - Gessner 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 -- Los Angeles David H. Burke -- Van Nuys Brian Burke -- Van Nuys Margaret D. Burkhart -- San Antonio Lawrence O. Burman -- Arlington Shayne R. Burnham -- New York - DET John Burns -- New York Jeremy J. Butler -- San Francisco Andrew J. Caborn -- San Francisco Sarah Cade -- Boston Kerri A. Calcador -- Los Angeles Steven D. Caley -- Aurora Andrew Calvelli -- New York Lorianne Campanella -- New York Alisha C. Campos -- Memphis 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 Jennifer Chung -- 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 -- New Orleans Charles R. Conroy -- New York Charles R. Conroy -- New York - DET Miguel A. Cordero Gonzalez -- Houston - Gessner 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. -- Laredo Thomas G. Crossan Jr. -- San Antonio Brendan C. Curran -- Chicago 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 Joseph R. Dierkes -- Bloomington Diane Dodd -- New York Paula J. Donnolo -- New York Karen M. Donoso Stevens -- Arlington Arlene E. Dorfman -- Los Angeles Arlene E. Dorfman -- Van Nuys Lisa Dornell -- Baltimore Evalyn P. Douchy -- New York Blake Doughty -- Atlanta J. Daniel Dowell -- Miami Richard Drucker -- New York - DET 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. -- Laredo John P. Ellington -- Baltimore Sarah M. Ellison -- Chicago Sarah M. Ellison -- Harlingen Gary E. Endelman -- Houston Pedro J. Espinal -- Guaynabo Mark S. Evans -- Conroe David W. Evans -- Seattle Timothy R. Everett -- Los Angeles Samuel M. Factor -- New York Lauren T. Farber -- 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 Jason D. Ferguson -- Dallas Lorely Ramirez Fernandez -- Chaparral Laura C. Figueroa -- San Francisco Leo A. Finston -- Elizabeth Leo A. Finston -- Newark Ryan Fisher -- Atlanta 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 -- Harlingen D'Anna H. Freeman -- Houston 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 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 -- Laredo Yvonne S. Gonzalez -- San Antonio Deborah K. Goodwin -- Miami Cynthia Gordon -- New York Louis A. Gordon -- San Francisco 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 Robert Gundlach -- New York Paul M. Habich -- Eloy Paul M. Habich -- Imperial Paul A. Hable -- Los Fresnos Catherine E. Halliday-Roberts -- Otay Mesa Ravit R. Halperin -- San Francisco Renae M. Hansell -- Memphis Katherine L. Hansen -- Bloomington Dorothy A. Harbeck -- New York Craig A. Harlow -- Laredo Craig A. Harlow -- San Antonio Rodger C. Harris -- Charlotte Monique Harris -- Houston Monique Harris -- Orlando Brandon L. Hart -- Laredo Alice Song Hartye -- Baltimore Miriam R. Hayward -- San Francisco Nathan L. Herbert -- El Paso Lakshmi Herman -- Miami 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 Andrea Hong -- Los Angeles Forrest W. Hoover, III -- Batavia Forrest W. Hoover, III -- New York - DET Karen Hope -- Los Angeles - North Michael C. Horn -- Miami Monte J. Horton -- Cleveland Monte J. Horton -- New York - DET Robert S. Hough -- El Paso Justin W. Howard -- Kansas City Lily C Hsu -- Los Angeles - North Natalie B. Huddleston -- Los Angeles Bruce Imbacuan -- Houston Joseph S. Imburgia -- Phoenix Henry P. Ipema Jr. -- San Diego Jacqueline J. Jackson -- San Francisco Richard C. Jacobs -- El Paso Lincoln S. Jalelian -- Boston Richard A. Jamadar -- Houston Rebecca B. Jamil -- San Francisco Jaime Jasso -- Los Angeles Amanda Jeannopoulos -- Newark Mark J. Jebson -- Detroit Allan John-Baptiste -- Dallas Jeremiah Johnson -- San Francisco Shane E. Johnson -- Seattle Kelly S. Johnson -- Memphis Carrie C. Johnson-Papillo -- New York David M. Jones -- Baltimore Delana M. Jones -- Houston - Gessner Carlos R. Juelle -- Los Angeles Alison R. Kane -- Denver Elliot Kaplan -- Arlington 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 Samuel Y. Kim -- San Francisco R. Wayne Kimball -- Dallas Daniel P. Kinnicutt -- Memphis Steven M. Kirchner -- San Francisco Deborah E. Klahr -- New York Eliza C. Klein -- Chicago David C. Koelsch -- Baltimore David C. Koelsch -- Hyattsville Margaret M. Kolbe -- New York Margaret M. Kolbe -- New York - DET Theodora N. Kouris -- New York Brigitte Laforest -- New York Cynthia A. Lafuente-Gaona -- Laredo Kelly B. Lake -- San Francisco Elizabeth A. Lamb -- New York Brent H. Landis -- Jena Elizabeth G. Lang -- Chicago Elizabeth G. Lang -- Orlando W. Scott Laragy -- Oakdale Joseph La Rocca -- New Orleans Alexandra R. Larsen -- Omaha Jan D. Latimore -- Los Angeles Philip S. Law -- San Diego Shirley Lazare-Raphael -- New York Tanawa Lebreton -- New York 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 James M. Left -- Los Angeles - North Shira M. Levine -- San Francisco Lisa W. Ling -- New York - DET Daniel Lippman -- Orlando Monica M. Little -- Los Angeles Anna C. Little -- San Francisco Michael Lloyd -- New York 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 Robert P. Maggard -- Sacramento Zakia Mahasa -- Baltimore Anthony E. Maingot -- Miami Njeri B. Maldonado -- Atlanta Njeri B. Maldonado -- Lumpkin Luis Maldonado -- Memphis Rosalind K. Malloy -- Philadelphia Daniel H. Malvin -- Los Angeles Stephen E. Mander -- Miami Steve Mannion -- Newark 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 Christina M. Martyak -- Miami - Krome Nicholas A. Martz -- Los Angeles Nicholas A. Martz -- Oakdale Todd A. Masters -- Boston Bobbie C. Masters -- Denver Jason R. Masterson -- San Francisco Rene D. Mateo -- Miami Carlos E. Maury -- Los Angeles - North Carlos E. Maury -- Van Nuys Jennifer A. May -- Conroe Jennifer A. May -- Houston Sarah B. Mazzie -- Bloomington James M. McCarthy -- New York James F. McCarthy, III -- Cleveland Loi L. McCleskey -- San Francisco Paul A. McCloskey -- Arlington Charles M. McCullough -- Laredo Charles M. McCullough -- San Antonio Ann M. McDermott -- Las Vegas William McDermott -- New York Michael G. McFarland -- New York Elizabeth H. McGrail -- Aurora Erica J. McGuirk -- Houston - Greenspoint Erica J. McGuirk -- Houston R. Reid McKee -- Pearsall James McKee -- New York Patrick M. McKenna -- Chicago Margaret McManus -- New York Leila McNeill Mullican -- Newark John McPhail -- Houston - Gessner Robert B.C. McSeveney -- Seattle Paul N. Medved -- Los Angeles - North 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 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 Thomas Mungoven -- New York - DET 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 -- Laredo Rifian S. Newaz -- San Antonio An Mai Nguyen -- Los Angeles An Mai Nguyen -- Las Vegas Bao Q. Nguyen -- Houston David Norkin -- New York - DET 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 Joshua D. Osborn -- Houston 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 Jose Luis Penalosa Jr. -- Adelanto Jose Luis Penalosa Jr. -- Eloy Virginia Perez-Guzman -- Dallas Adam Perl -- New York Helaine R. Perlman -- Arlington Anne Kristina Perry -- Imperial Anne Kristina Perry -- 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 -- Newark 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 Jason L. Pope -- Newark 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 Arya S. Ranasinghe -- Newark Clarease Rankin Yates -- Houston Clarease Rankin Yates -- Houston - Gessner Ramin Rastegar -- Newark Irene M. Recio -- Miami Agnelis L. Reese -- Oakdale Dara Reid -- New York - DET 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 Kevin W. Riley -- Van Nuys Teresa L. Riley -- Cleveland Jose Rivera -- Miami Lindsy M. Roberts -- Las Vegas Eugene H. Robinson, Jr. -- Imperial Lourdes A. Rodriguez de Jongh -- Miami 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 Marna M Rusher -- Boston David Russo -- Memphis Roger F. Sagerman -- Bloomington Cathy Sagesse -- New York Jayme Salinardi -- Kansas City Kaarina Salovaara -- Chicago Eva S. Saltzman -- Chicago Charles J. Sanders -- Miami Sandra J. Santos-Garcia -- Adelanto Sandra J. Santos-Garcia -- Van Nuys Billy J. Sapp -- Conroe Brian Sardelli -- Bloomington Patrick Savage -- San Francisco Theresa M. Scala -- Tacoma Shelly W. Schools -- Harlingen Douglas B. Schoppert -- New York Karen W. Schulz -- San Francisco Christopher M. Schumann -- Houston - Gessner Joseph C. Scott -- Philadelphia Alice Segal -- New York Frank A. Seminerio -- San Francisco Christopher R. Seppanen -- Cleveland Munish Sharda -- Las Vegas Munish Sharda -- Phoenix Pallavi S. Shirole -- Elizabeth Pallavi S. Shirole -- Newark Ilyce S. Shugall -- San Francisco Helen J. Sichel -- New York Stuart A. Siegel -- Miami - Krome Stuart A. Siegel -- Miami John Siemietkowski -- New York 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 Thomas G. Snow -- Arlington Kenneth Sogabe -- Seattle 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 Jeb Terrien -- Boston Christopher J. Thielemann -- Dallas Cassie A. Thogersen -- Jena Donald W. Thompson -- New York Scott Thomsen -- 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 Michael Tripi -- Cleveland Eileen R. Trujillo -- Denver P. Michael Truman -- West Valley Mimi Tsankov -- New York Mimi Tsankov -- New York - DET Meredith B. Tyrakoski -- Pearsall Maria Ubarri -- New York 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 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 Jack H. Weil -- Baltimore Daniel H. Weiss -- Dallas David C. Whipple -- Cleveland David White -- Arlington Mark Whitworth -- Houston - Greenspoint 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 - 2021 Past Report - 2022 Past Report - 2023 Latest Report (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
Judge David Neumeister
FY 2017 - 2022, Sacramento Immigration Court
Published Oct 26, 2022
Attorney General Eric Holder appointed Judge Neumeister in December 2010. Judge Neumeister received a
bachelor of arts degree in 1973 and a master of arts degree in English in 1978, both from California State
University, Dominguez Hills and a juris doctorate in 1980 from Southwestern University School of Law. From
1980 to December 2010, he was in private practice in Bakersfield, Calif., exclusively practicing
immigration law since 1982. Judge Neumeister is a member of the State Bar of California.
Deciding Asylum Cases
Detailed data on decisions by Judge Neumeister were examined for the period covering fiscal years 2017
through 2022. During this period, court records show that Judge Neumeister decided 239 asylum claims on
their merits. Of these, he granted asylum for 157, granted 14 other types of relief, and denied relief to
68. Converted to percentage terms, Neumeister denied 28.5 percent and granted 71.6 percent of asylum cases
(including forms of relief other than asylum).
Figure 1 provides a comparison of Judge Neumeister's denial rate each fiscal year over this recent
period. (Rates for years with less than 25 decisions are not shown.)
Figure 1: Percent of Asylum Matters Denied
Nationwide Comparisons
Compared to Judge Neumeister's denial rate of 28.5 percent, Immigration Court judges across the
country denied 63.8 percent of asylum claims during this same period. Judges at the Sacramento Immigration
Court where Judge Neumeister decided these cases denied asylum 33.6 percent of the time. See Figure 2.
Judge Neumeister's asylum grant and denial rates are compared with other judges serving on the same
court in this table .
Note that when an Immigration Judge serves on more than one court during the same period, separate
Immigration Judge reports are created for any Court in which the judge rendered at least 100 asylum
decisions.
Figure 2: Comparing Denial Rates (percents)
Why Do Denial Rates Vary Among Judges?
Although denial rates are shaped by each Judge's judicial philosophy, denial rates are also shaped by
other factors, such as the types of cases on the Judge's docket, the detained status of immigrant
respondents, current immigration policies, and other factors beyond an individual Judge's control. For
example, TRAC has previously found that legal representation and the nationality of the asylum seeker are
just two factors that appear to impact asylum decision outcomes.
The composition of cases may differ significantly between Immigration Courts in the country. Within a
single Court when cases are randomly assigned to judges sitting on that Court, each Judge should have
roughly a similar composition of cases given a sufficient number of asylum cases. Then variations in
asylum decisions among Judges on the same Immigration Court would appear to reflect, at least in part, the
judicial philosophy that the Judge brings to the bench. However, if judges within a Court are assigned to
specialized dockets or hearing locations, then case compositions are likely to continue to differ and can
contribute to differences in asylum denial rates.
Representation
When asylum seekers are not represented by an attorney, almost all of them (83%) are denied asylum. In
contrast, a significantly higher proportion of represented asylum seekers are successful. In the case of
Judge Neumeister, 5.9% were not represented by an attorney. See Figure 3. For the nation as a whole, about
16.7% of asylum seekers are not represented.
Figure 3: Asylum Seeker Had Representation
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.
The largest group of asylum seekers appearing before Judge Neumeister came from Russia. Individuals from
this country made up 24.3% of his caseload.
Other nationalities in descending order of frequency appearing before Judge Neumeister were: India
(19.2%), Guatemala (13.4%), Mexico (11.7%), El Salvador (8.4%).
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 (18.2%), Guatemala (16.0%), Honduras (14.6%), Mexico (10.5%), China
(7.5%), India (4.5%), Cuba (2.5%), Venezuela (2.1%), Ecuador (2.1%), Nicaragua (1.9%), Haiti (1.7%),
Cameroon (1.5%), Nepal (1.2%).
Figure 4: Asylum Decisions by Nationality
TRAC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit data research center affiliated with the
Newhouse School of Public Communications and
the
Whitman School of Management , both at
Syracuse University . For more information, to
subscribe, or to donate, contact trac@syr.edu or call 315-443-3563.