Judge Antonio Capistrano

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Capistrano, Antonio (IJ code AOC, Philadelphia, PA):

Overall track record

8 years on the bench (since 2019), 2,653 cases total, lifetime grant rate 11.7%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,603 cases, grant rate 11.7% — roughly in line with the Philadelphia court average (9.5%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Brazil                 374    0.3%
Guatemala              313    2.5%
Honduras               222    1.5%
Turkey                 176    8.7%
Mexico                 149    1.5%
Russia                 131   51.6%
Venezuela              130    6.0%
Cuba                   128   44.4%
Ecuador                109    0.0%
Colombia               102    6.7%
Dominican Republic      94    1.1%

Year-by-year

2023:  412 cases, 11.5% grant rate
2024:  671 cases, 11.4% grant rate
2025:  667 cases, 16.9% grant rate
2026:  853 cases, 8.2% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Capistrano, 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.