Francis Mwangi
Immigration Judge, LaSalle Immigration Court. Appointed August 2022.
Asylum record, FY 2021-2026
TRAC source →- Decisions on the merits
- 406
- Asylum granted
- 77
- Other relief granted
- 20
- Denied
- 309
- Against own court
- -5.5 pts
| FY23 | FY24 | FY25 | FY26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73% | 60% | 82% | 97% |
Docket
Respondents represented by counsel: 70% (nationally, 81% are represented).
Most common nationalities: Russia (20.9%), Georgia (12.1%), Uzbekistan (7.4%), Honduras (4.4%).
Official biography
Francis M. Mwangi was appointed as an Immigration Judge to begin hearing cases in August 2022. Judge Mwangi earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1991 from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Juris Doctor in 1997 from the West Virginia University College of Law, and a Master of Laws in 2011 from the University of Houston Law Center. From 2019 to 2022, he was an attorney supervisor, and from 2016 to 2019, a staff attorney, in the Legal Services Section at State Counsel for Offenders, Texas Board of Criminal Justice. From 2003 to 2016, he was in private immigration practice in Maryland and Texas. From 1997 to 2003, he was an associate with the immigration law firm of Blaine L. Gilbert & Associates in Baltimore. Judge Mwangi is a member of the Maryland State Bar, State Bar of Texas, and West Virginia State Bar.
In the record
EOIR Announces 19 New Immigration Judges
EOIR's notice records that Francis M. Mwangi was appointed an immigration judge beginning August 2022 at the Fort Worth Immigration Adjudication Center, with degrees from Kenyatta University, West Virginia University and the University of Houston.
US immigration court orders Melissa Atwell-Holder's release on bond
Demerara Waves reports that Immigration Judge Francis Mwangi granted bond to Guyanese social media activist Melissa Atwell-Holder in a visa overstay case, allowing Guyanese journalists to observe the hearing over government objection.
Melly Mel placed on bond for visa overstay
Stabroek News reports that Immigration Judge Francis Mwangi granted bond to activist Melissa Atwell Holder, who appeared remotely from a Louisiana ICE facility after being detained for a visa overstay while an adjustment application was pending.
'Melly Mel' blames Govt for detention in U.S.
Suriname Times reports that Melissa Atwell-Holder was released from an ICE detention centre in Louisiana following a virtual appearance before US immigration judge Francis Mwangi, after her arrest at her New York home.
Other judges at Jena
Court page →About these figures. Denial rates describe outcomes in the cases a judge happened to hear, which differ by detention, nationality and representation. They are not a measure of fairness or competence. Method and sources are on the judges index.