A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Sims, Deitrich H. (IJ code DHS, Dallas, TX):
Overall track record
30 years on the bench (since 1997), 30,538 cases total, lifetime grant rate 5.0%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 7,484 cases, grant rate 0.5% — roughly in line with the Dallas court average (1.5%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 1861 0.8% Honduras 1571 0.0% Venezuela 1173 0.0% Guatemala 772 0.1% Cuba 537 2.1% El Salvador 486 0.9% Nicaragua 393 0.0% Colombia 300 0.0% Ecuador 63 0.0% Peru 60 0.0% Romania 35 0.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 746 cases, 1.7% grant rate 2024: 1408 cases, 0.7% grant rate 2025: 2813 cases, 0.3% grant rate 2026: 2517 cases, 0.1% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Sims, 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.