Judge Jennifer A. May

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge May, Jennifer A. (IJ code JAM, Jena, LA):

Overall track record

8 years on the bench (since 2019), 3,206 cases total, lifetime grant rate 5.6%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 1,808 cases, grant rate 5.7% — roughly in line with the Jena court average (6.5%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Mexico                 474    1.6%
Guatemala              253    1.6%
Honduras               200    0.7%
Venezuela               98    2.6%
China                   77   11.3%
El Salvador             73    3.4%
Colombia                70    0.0%
Nicaragua               68    4.3%
Ecuador                 64    0.0%
Cuba                    41    7.4%
India                   29    6.7%

Year-by-year

2023:  422 cases, 5.6% grant rate
2024:  213 cases, 5.1% grant rate
2025:  593 cases, 7.1% grant rate
2026:  580 cases, 4.0% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge May, I'd love to hear:

1. What's your nationality, and when was your most recent hearing?

2. How did your attorney prepare for this judge specifically?

Source: EOIR (U.S. Executive Office for Immigration Review) public statistics, May 2026 release, compiled by AsylumTracker. A judge's historical pattern does not predict the outcome of any individual case; this is shared to help set realistic expectations. Real-experience accounts from the community are welcome.