A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Kim, Peter A. (IJ code PAK, North Los Angeles, CA):
Overall track record
8 years on the bench (since 2019), 3,315 cases total, lifetime grant rate 10.4%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 3,289 cases, grant rate 10.5% — roughly in line with the North Los Angeles court average (11.1%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 534 0.8% Guatemala 458 1.4% China 428 32.3% Nicaragua 428 5.5% Colombia 236 1.3% Venezuela 207 0.0% Honduras 192 1.6% El Salvador 180 1.3% Russia 122 47.0% Armenia 117 52.0% Ecuador 106 0.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 288 cases, 14.9% grant rate 2024: 737 cases, 20.1% grant rate 2025: 952 cases, 13.5% grant rate 2026: 1312 cases, 1.6% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Kim, 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.