The Honorable Immigration Judge James Klinedinst

Orlando, FL Immigration Court
Appointed March 2026 · President Donald Trump Attorney General Pamela Bondi
Less than a year on the immigration bench
Appointed under a Republican administration

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Dial 1-415-527-5035Access code: 2818 667 2054Telephonic access
Source: EOIR — Find an Immigration Court. Recording an internet-based hearing is prohibited (8 C.F.R. § 1003.28). Respondents without a representative default to in-person hearings.

Background

The Honorable Immigration Judge James Klinedinst earned a Bachelor of Science in 2005 from Old Dominion University, a Master of Education in 2007 from Regent University, a Master of Arts in 2014 from the University of South Florida, and a Juris Doctor in 2015 from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Before his appointment, he served from October 2015 to October 2025 as an assistant staff judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force at multiple locations. He holds the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and is a member of the Florida Bar.

Caseload & process (since 2021)
46
Completions per year
228 total
2.6%
Detained at decision
share of cases
30.2 mo
Median time to decision
from case start
38.2%
Ordered removed in absentia
person absent
6.6%
Decisions appealed to BIA
appeal rate
Appeals remanded or reversed
only 0 appeals — too few

Grant rates by type of relief

Share granted among merits decisions for each application type, since 2021.
Asylum
4.2% 24 decisions Too few cases
Withholding / CAT
0% 40 decisions Too few cases
Cancellation — 42B (non-LPR)
0% 2 decisions Too few cases
Adjustment of status (245)
100% 2 decisions Too few cases
Voluntary departure
100% 23 decisions Too few cases
4.2%
of asylum claims granted on the merits
Based on 24 asylum decisions (grants + denials) since 2021. Fewer than 50 — treat this figure with caution.
This judge
4.2%
This court
22.4%
National average
31.8%
0%100% granted

Does a lawyer matter here?

Asylum grant rate by whether the person had legal representation.
With a lawyerrepresented · 20 decisions since 2021
5%
Without a lawyerunrepresented · 4 decisions since 2021
0%

Courts where this judge has decided cases

Hearing locations for cases this judge completed since 2021, by number of decisions. Many judges hear cases from more than one court (detained facilities, video dockets, or reassignments).
Orlando, FL · home court
212 (93%)
7 (3.1%)
2 (0.88%)
2 (0.88%)
1 (0.44%)
1 (0.44%)