ASYLUMJUDGE · IMMIGRATION JUDGE PROFILE

Katherine Estes

Katherine Estes is listed with Kansas City (KAN). The database records 13 asylum outcomes: 0 approved, 13 denied, and 0 other outcomes. Historical statistics are informational and cannot predict an individual case. · 2026-04-10 – 2026-05-05

Fewer than 50; rate hidden

Decision approval rate—Approved ÷（Approved + Denied）

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

Asylum decisions130 / 13 / 0

Approved / denied0 / 13 / 0Database records only

Yearly changes

Yearly asylum decision trend

Fiscal yearDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate

FY 2026130130—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

Applicant origin

Asylum decisions by fiscal year and nationality

FY 2026 · 2025-10-01 – 2026-07-01 · EOIR

NationalityDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate

FY 2026 · Honduras2026-04-27 – 2026-05-056060—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · China2026-04-21 – 2026-04-211010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · Venezuela2026-04-10 – 2026-04-101010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · Cuba2026-04-16 – 2026-04-161010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · Russia2026-04-30 – 2026-04-301010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · Peru2026-04-29 – 2026-04-291010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · Mexico2026-04-16 – 2026-04-161010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

FY 2026 · Nicaragua2026-04-23 – 2026-04-231010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden

Official appointment record

Judge background and appointment

Appointment dateMarch 2026

Appointed courtKansas City Immigration Court

Appointment typeImmigration Judge

Official biography

Katherine Estes was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in March 2026. Judge Estes earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1990 from Truman State University and a Juris Doctor in 1998 from the Antonin Scalia Law School. From July 2019 to November 2024, she served as the branch head for military personnel law, U.S. Marine Corps, at the Pentagon. From January 2017 to July 2019, she was the vice president/chief administrative officer for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in Arlington, Virginia. From August 1990 to September 2015, she served on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps, first as a financial management officer and later as a judge advocate. She also served as commanding officer. In 2015, she retired as the staff judge advocate for III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Judge Estes is a member of the Kansas Bar and State Bar of Texas.

Education: Judge Estes earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1990 from Truman State University and a Juris Doctor in 1998 from the Antonin Scalia Law School.

Bar admission: Judge Estes is a member of the Kansas Bar and State Bar of Texas.

EOIR Announces 42 Immigration Judges (2026-03-11) →

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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