Judge James F. Polivka

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Polivka, James F. (IJ code JFP, Dallas, TX):

Overall track record

4 years on the bench (since 2023), 5,015 cases total, lifetime grant rate 1.6%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 5,014 cases, grant rate 1.6% — roughly in line with the Dallas court average (1.5%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Mexico                1217    0.2%
Venezuela              968    1.2%
Honduras               849    0.0%
Cuba                   506    3.6%
Guatemala              426    0.0%
El Salvador            228    0.9%
Colombia               175    0.0%
Nicaragua              149    0.0%
Russia                  98   35.1%
Ecuador                 46    0.0%
Georgia                 38    2.7%

Year-by-year

2023:  196 cases, 11.1% grant rate
2024:  233 cases, 7.5% grant rate
2025: 1332 cases, 2.5% grant rate
2026: 3253 cases, 0.2% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Polivka, 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.