A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Francis, Leon J. (IJ code LJF, Santa Ana, CA):
Overall track record
31 years on the bench (since 1996), 4,433 cases total, lifetime grant rate 10.0%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,760 cases, grant rate 11.1% — roughly in line with the Santa Ana court average (9.5%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 870 2.7% Nicaragua 305 4.3% Guatemala 284 4.3% Colombia 260 2.4% China 150 47.1% Venezuela 144 1.5% Honduras 113 2.8% El Salvador 103 1.2% Russia 96 64.2% Peru 83 6.3% India 77 36.6%
Russia applicants see a 64.2% grant rate versus 1.2% for El Salvador applicants — a 53.3× gap on this judge's docket.
Year-by-year
2023: 466 cases, 21.4% grant rate 2024: 715 cases, 14.1% grant rate 2025: 909 cases, 8.1% grant rate 2026: 670 cases, 4.2% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Francis, 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.