ASYLUMJUDGE · IMMIGRATION JUDGE PROFILE
James M. Left
Los Angeles (NLA) · Los Angeles, CA
James M. Left is listed with Los Angeles (NLA). The database records 1,572 asylum outcomes: 303 approved, 1,269 denied, and 0 other outcomes. Historical statistics are informational and cannot predict an individual case. · 2020-01-02 – 2025-08-29
Yearly changes
Yearly asylum decision trend
Fiscal yearDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate
FY 2025506121385023.9%
FY 202445595360020.9%
Applicant origin
Asylum decisions by fiscal year and nationality
FY 2026 · 2025-10-01 – 2026-07-01 · EOIR
NationalityDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate
Official appointment record
Judge background and appointment
Official biography
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch appointed James M. Left to begin hearing cases in June 2016. Judge Left earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from Pacific Lutheran University and a Juris Doctor in 1994 from the Pepperdine University School of Law. From 2013 to May 2016, and previously from 2008 through 2009, Judge Left served as a senior attorney for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From 2009 through 2013, and previously from 2007 through 2008, Judge Left served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the U.S. Attorney's Office, in Los Angeles. From 2004 through 2007, Judge Left served as an assistant chief counsel for ICE, DHS. From 2002 through 2004, Judge Left served as an associate legal advisor for the National Security Law Division, ICE, DHS. From 1997 through 2002, Judge Left served as an assistant district counsel for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, Department of Justice. Judge Left is a member of the State Bar of California.
Education: Judge Left earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from Pacific Lutheran University and a Juris Doctor in 1994 from the Pepperdine University School of Law.
Bar admission: Judge Left is a member of the State Bar of California.
EOIR Swears in 15 Immigration Judges (2016-06-27) →
This page shows only verifiable official appointment and biography records. No departure record does not confirm current service; personnel changes are labeled only with reliable sources.
How to read approval rates
Decision approval rateis approved ÷ (approved + denied). Blue “Other” is shown separately and includes identifiable withholding/CAT protection, cancellation or adjustment, voluntary departure, withdrawal, termination, dismissal, and administrative closure; it is excluded from the rate denominator.Approved share of all outcomesuses approved, denied, and other outcomes in the denominator.
With small samples, a few cases can move the percentage sharply. The page flags samples below 50 and below 200 decisions.
View methodology and sources →
AsylumJudge organizes public EOIR immigration-court data and provides no legal conclusion for any individual case.
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