For many asylum seekers, the aspiration to stay in California is becoming more achievable.
Their chances of remaining in the U.S. often hinge on which judge oversees their case, with a notable contrast between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In San Francisco, judges rejected only 28.5% of asylum cases from 2020 to late 2025, while in Los Angeles, the rejection rate was almost 60%, aligning with the national average, per data from the Transactional Record Access Clearinghouse.
During the last quarter, around 80% of immigrants seeking asylum were turned away as judges adopted a stricter approach under the Trump administration.
“This is having a really big impact,” commented Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Immigration Policy Center and a former immigration judge.
Arthur emphasized, “The Trump administration is doing everything it can to lower asylum grant rates.”
According to TRAC data, Judge Tara Naseroux-Nahas, appointed in November 2009 during the Obama era, had the highest denial rate among California judges in two courts, Los Angeles North and Van Nuys. She denied about 91.6% of the 525 cases she handled.
Nearly 30% of her cases involved applicants from El Salvador.
Judge Kevin W. Reilly, who joined the same bench as Naseroux-Nahas, also exhibited a high denial rate from 2020 through late 2025.
Over the past five years, Reilly worked across three jurisdictions in Southern California, denying over 99% of asylum seekers in 350 cases, according to TRAC data. Even though his denial rate decreased at Van Nuys, it was still around 88%.
Katie G. Mullins, appointed to the bench in 2023 and overseeing 205 cases in Adelanto Immigration Court, denied asylum in 94.6% of her decisions, again per TRAC data.
On the other hand, Sheila M. Levin, appointed to the San Francisco federal immigration court in 2021 under the Biden administration, was the most lenient judge, granting asylum in 97.9% of the 1,165 cases she handled before being let go in September.
Under Trump, several immigration judges perceived as liberal were dismissed, and just last year, the San Francisco immigration court lost 12 out of 21 judges.
A corresponding rise in deportations occurred during this period.
TRAC reported that the number of illegal immigrants apprehended in December reached 38,215, a 50% increase compared to December 2023 under President Biden and 35% more than 24,979 in December 2024.
Judge Frank Seminerio from San Francisco has processed the highest number of immigration cases among California judges over the past five years, rejecting 65.6% of asylum claims, according to TRAC data.
His rate of denial is significantly lower than that of his former colleague, Nathan Aina, known as the “Silent Assassin” for denying nearly all asylum applications. Aina turned down 94.2% of cases she handled in San Francisco.
The disparity among judges in California reflects broader trends, including similar variances witnessed in New York.
“This is a huge gap” among judges, Arthur remarked, acknowledging the variability in cases presented.
“Maybe one judge gets a solid case; another might not. But it’s a significant issue.”
The federal government has the power to appeal a judge’s decision regarding asylum.
Arthur expressed relief that when it comes to asylum, the immigration officer acts as the initial judge rather than the final say.
