James M. Rice

Cleveland (CLE) · Cleveland, OH

James M. Rice is listed with Cleveland (CLE). The database records 49 asylum outcomes: 0 approved, 49 denied, and 0 other outcomes. Historical statistics are informational and cannot predict an individual case.

Decision approval rate—Approved ÷（Approved + Denied）

Approved share of all outcomes0.0%Approved ÷ all outcomes

Asylum decisions490 / 49 / 0

Approved / denied0 / 49 / 0Database records only

Yearly changes

Yearly asylum decision trend

Applicant origin

Asylum decisions by fiscal year and nationality

Each row shows fiscal year, nationality, valid decisions, and approval rate.

Official appointment record

Judge background and appointment

Appointment dateMay 2026

Appointed courtCleveland Immigration Court

Appointment typeImmigration Judge

Official biography

James M. Rice was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in May 2026. Judge Rice earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2005 from Miami University and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the Regent University School of Law. From July 2020 to April 2026, he served as an assistant chief counsel with the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, in Cleveland. From February 2017 to July 2020, and from March 2009 to March 2014, he served as assistant prosecuting attorney with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office in Cleveland. From March 2014 to February 2017, he was in private practice and as a solo practitioner. Judge Rice is a member of the Ohio State Bar and the Northern District of Ohio.

Education: Judge Rice earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2005 from Miami University and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the Regent University School of Law.

Bar admission: Judge Rice is a member of the Ohio State Bar and the Northern District of Ohio.

EOIR Announces 77 Immigration Judges and 5 Temporary Immigration Judges — Biographical Information (2026-05-21) →

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 →

Tang Ren Daily organizes public data only and provides no legal conclusion for any individual case.