A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Brisack, Chris A. (IJ code CBA, Houston, TX):
Overall track record
40 years on the bench (since 1987), 19,488 cases total, lifetime grant rate 8.9%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,162 cases, grant rate 2.5% — roughly in line with the Houston court average (3.8%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 906 2.1% Honduras 331 1.3% Guatemala 275 0.4% El Salvador 147 5.5% Venezuela 97 4.9% Colombia 94 1.2% Cuba 68 1.8% Nicaragua 67 1.7% Somalia 50 8.3% Ecuador 21 0.0% China 12 0.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 587 cases, 2.3% grant rate 2024: 586 cases, 2.5% grant rate 2025: 693 cases, 2.2% grant rate 2026: 296 cases, 3.9% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Brisack, 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.