A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Thomas, Jason (IJ code JAT, Chelsea, MA):
Overall track record
1 years on the bench (since 2026), 138 cases total, lifetime grant rate 12.8%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 138 cases, grant rate 12.8% — 7.7pp below the Chelsea court average (20.5%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 38 28.6% Venezuela 20 5.6% Cuba 12 18.2% Honduras 11 0.0% Guatemala 9 40.0% Ecuador 6 0.0%
Mexico applicants see a 28.6% grant rate versus 5.6% for Venezuela applicants — a 5.1× gap on this judge's docket.
If you've appeared before Judge Thomas, 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.