A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Mendez, Francisco (IJ code FMZ, Arlington, VA):
Overall track record
8 years on the bench (since 2019), 3,907 cases total, lifetime grant rate 16.4%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,289 cases, grant rate 10.6% — roughly in line with the Arlington court average (10.9%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Honduras 476 5.9% Guatemala 367 2.9% El Salvador 334 17.8% Bolivia 300 3.3% Mexico 131 2.4% Peru 129 0.9% Nicaragua 101 16.5% Venezuela 80 13.6% Colombia 62 0.0% Turkey 38 44.4% Afghanistan 27 69.2%
Year-by-year
2023: 507 cases, 13.9% grant rate 2024: 386 cases, 17.1% grant rate 2025: 740 cases, 8.5% grant rate 2026: 656 cases, 6.1% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Mendez, 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.