Judge Anita McFadden

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge McFadden, Anita (IJ code AMF, Santa Ana, CA):

Overall track record

5 years on the bench (since 2022), 2,482 cases total, lifetime grant rate 7.8%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,432 cases, grant rate 7.4% — roughly in line with the Santa Ana court average (9.5%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Mexico                 790    3.3%
Colombia               335    2.1%
Nicaragua              291    4.6%
Guatemala              248    0.0%
Peru                   105    2.1%
Venezuela               98    0.0%
Honduras                93    2.2%
El Salvador             77    5.6%
China                   75   33.3%
India                   47   20.5%
Romania                 45    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023:  299 cases, 24.7% grant rate
2024:  453 cases, 14.1% grant rate
2025:  839 cases, 3.2% grant rate
2026:  841 cases, 1.9% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge McFadden, I'd love to hear:

1. What's your nationality, and when was your most recent hearing?

2. How did your attorney prepare for this judge specifically?

Source: EOIR (U.S. Executive Office for Immigration Review) public statistics, May 2026 release, compiled by AsylumTracker. A judge's historical pattern does not predict the outcome of any individual case; this is shared to help set realistic expectations. Real-experience accounts from the community are welcome.