A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Thielemann, Christopher J. (IJ code CTN, Dallas, TX):
Overall track record
8 years on the bench (since 2019), 11,817 cases total, lifetime grant rate 2.1%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 10,324 cases, grant rate 1.1% — roughly in line with the Dallas court average (1.5%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Honduras 3035 0.2% Mexico 1890 2.2% Guatemala 1840 0.2% Venezuela 1054 0.4% El Salvador 904 0.2% Nicaragua 399 0.0% Cuba 392 0.0% Colombia 249 0.9% Nigeria 73 18.4% Peru 72 0.0% Romania 55 0.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 2583 cases, 1.5% grant rate 2024: 1852 cases, 1.5% grant rate 2025: 3524 cases, 1.1% grant rate 2026: 2365 cases, 0.3% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Thielemann, 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.