Judge J. Daniel Dowell

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Dowell, J. Daniel (IJ code JDD, Miami, FL):

Overall track record

39 years on the bench (since 1988), 31,502 cases total, lifetime grant rate 29.2%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 4,302 cases, grant rate 3.2% — roughly in line with the Miami court average (5.6%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Cuba                  2044   12.6%
Guatemala              734    0.0%
Honduras               357    0.0%
Nicaragua              277    1.3%
Venezuela              232   12.1%
Haiti                  213    0.0%
Colombia                89    1.5%
El Salvador             71    3.0%
Mexico                  63    3.4%
Brazil                  53    2.7%
Peru                    37    3.2%

Year-by-year

2023:  879 cases, 8.3% grant rate
2024:  712 cases, 2.7% grant rate
2025: 1239 cases, 0.4% grant rate
2026: 1472 cases, 0.6% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Dowell, 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.