Judge Eric J. Tijerina

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

Overall track record

27 years on the bench (since 2000), 9,735 cases total, lifetime grant rate 3.6%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 5,895 cases, grant rate 3.2% — roughly in line with the San Antonio court average (4.2%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Honduras              1068    0.5%
Nicaragua              984    1.7%
Cuba                   666   17.4%
Mexico                 657    1.3%
Venezuela              610    9.4%
Colombia               553    0.8%
Guatemala              380    0.6%
Dominican Republic     192    0.0%
Ecuador                175    0.6%
Peru                   148    0.0%
El Salvador            126    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023: 1154 cases, 8.7% grant rate
2024: 1322 cases, 4.7% grant rate
2025: 1544 cases, 1.3% grant rate
2026: 1875 cases, 0.3% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Tijerina, 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.