Judge Peter A. Kim

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.