A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Dorfman, Arlene E. (IJ code ARD, Van Nuys, CA):
Overall track record
37 years on the bench (since 1990), 8,791 cases total, lifetime grant rate 23.9%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 3,728 cases, grant rate 12.3% — roughly in line with the Van Nuys court average (10.9%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 1244 11.4% Guatemala 513 3.3% El Salvador 344 9.5% Peru 312 3.1% Nicaragua 266 5.6% Colombia 206 1.0% Honduras 184 1.7% Armenia 142 52.9% Russia 93 29.4% India 80 35.5% Venezuela 78 2.8%
Armenia applicants see a 52.9% grant rate versus 1.0% for Colombia applicants — a 51.6× gap on this judge's docket.
Year-by-year
2023: 592 cases, 29.6% grant rate 2024: 752 cases, 15.6% grant rate 2025: 1149 cases, 10.4% grant rate 2026: 1235 cases, 3.2% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Dorfman, 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.