Judge Daniel J. Santander

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Santander, Daniel J. (IJ code DJS, San Antonio, TX):

Overall track record

28 years on the bench (since 1999), 12,452 cases total, lifetime grant rate 7.0%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 6,434 cases, grant rate 3.1% — roughly in line with the San Antonio court average (4.2%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Honduras              1880    0.2%
Cuba                  1178    9.6%
Mexico                1013    5.4%
Venezuela              534    3.9%
Guatemala              525    1.1%
Nicaragua              365    0.6%
El Salvador            308    4.0%
Colombia               172    2.6%
Ecuador                 77    0.0%
Peru                    39    5.7%
Nepal                   35   50.0%

Year-by-year

2023: 1125 cases, 5.9% grant rate
2024: 1294 cases, 4.0% grant rate
2025: 2277 cases, 3.1% grant rate
2026: 1738 cases, 1.1% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Santander, 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, July 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.