ASYLUMJUDGE · IMMIGRATION JUDGE PROFILE
Sandra J. Santos-Garcia
Van Nuys (VNS) · Van Nuys, CA
Sandra J. Santos-Garcia is listed with Van Nuys (VNS). The database records 1,031 asylum outcomes: 375 approved, 656 denied, and 0 other outcomes. Historical statistics are informational and cannot predict an individual case. · 2020-01-02 – 2026-07-01
Yearly changes
Yearly asylum decision trend
Fiscal yearDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate
FY 20263291331604.0%
FY 20251326765050.8%
FY 202415510253065.8%
Applicant origin
Asylum decisions by fiscal year and nationality
FY 2026 · 2025-10-01 – 2026-07-01 · EOIR
NationalityDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate
FY 2026 · Mexico2026-01-29 – 2026-06-306606600.0%
FY 2026 · El Salvador2025-10-01 – 2026-06-105505500.0%
FY 2026 · Guatemala2025-10-02 – 2026-07-01460460—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Peru2025-12-05 – 2026-06-05340340—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Nicaragua2025-11-07 – 2026-04-13240240—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Honduras2026-01-05 – 2026-04-02210210—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Colombia2026-01-27 – 2026-07-01190190—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Russia2025-10-01 – 2026-06-1015690—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · India2025-12-01 – 2026-06-30120120—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Armenia2025-10-09 – 2026-04-2710280—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · China2025-11-07 – 2026-06-249090—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Venezuela2025-11-13 – 2026-02-264040—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Sweden2026-06-17 – 2026-06-173030—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Iran2026-01-22 – 2026-01-223300—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Ghana2025-11-18 – 2026-01-082110—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Pakistan2025-11-17 – 2025-11-171010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Equatorial Guinea2025-12-03 – 2025-12-031010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Georgia2025-10-29 – 2025-10-291100—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Guinea2026-03-13 – 2026-03-131010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Togo2025-10-22 – 2025-10-221010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Cuba2026-06-29 – 2026-06-291010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
Official appointment record
Judge background and appointment
Official biography
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch appointed Sandra J. Santos-Garcia to begin hearing cases in June 2016. Judge Santos-Garcia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998 and a Juris Doctor in 2001, both from the University of California, Berkeley. From 2010 through 2016, Judge Santos-Garcia served as a senior attorney for the Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From 2001 through 2010, Judge Santos-Garcia served as assistant chief counsel for OCC, ICE, DHS. Judge Santos-Garcia is a member of the State Bars of Arizona and California.
Education: Judge Santos-Garcia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1998 and a Juris Doctor in 2001, both from the University of California, Berkeley.
Bar admission: Judge Santos-Garcia is a member of the State Bars of Arizona and 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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