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TRRB · EOIR JUDGE PROFILE
Paul E. Stephan
Santa Ana (SNC) · Santa Ana, CA
Paul E. Stephan is listed with Santa Ana (SNC). The database records 19 asylum outcomes: 0 approved, 19 denied, and 0 other outcomes. Historical statistics are informational and cannot predict an individual case.
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
Official biography
Paul Edmond Stephan was appointed as an immigration judge to begin hearing cases in May 2026. Judge Stephan earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1973 from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor in 1976 from Southwestern Law School. From June 2023 to May 2026, he served as a temporary criminal judge with the Orange County Superior Court in California. From 1998 to June 2023, he was a senior partner with Selman Brietman LLP in California and was selected for membership to the American Board of Trial Advocates. From 1984 to 1998, he was in private practice in municipal law. From 1984 to 1986, he served as a judge advocate with the U.S. Army Reserve and was admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. From 1977 to 1984, he served as a deputy district attorney and later deputy county counsel in Fresno, California. In 1986, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and from 2001 to 2002, served on active duty in Operation “Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom” as an MH-65 helicopter-based ship's boarding team leader. Judge Stephan was awarded the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for Lifesaving and the Global War on Terrorism Medal. He retired with the rank of captain in 2012. Judge Stephan is a member of the State Bar of California and the District of Columbia Bar.
Education: Judge Stephan earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1973 from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor in 1976 from Southwestern Law School.
Bar admission: Judge Stephan is a member of the State Bar of California and the District of Columbia Bar.
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.