A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Hitesman, Jonathan W. (IJ code JH1, Sacramento, CA):
Overall track record
6 years on the bench (since 2021), 2,089 cases total, lifetime grant rate 13.4%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 1,858 cases, grant rate 7.7% — 28.7pp below the Sacramento court average (36.4%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 704 6.9% Guatemala 238 1.7% El Salvador 130 3.2% Colombia 120 1.2% Honduras 119 1.0% Nicaragua 113 4.6% Venezuela 98 1.4% Peru 70 0.0% Russia 62 69.1% India 48 23.3% Ecuador 24 0.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 150 cases, 19.7% grant rate 2024: 127 cases, 16.0% grant rate 2025: 716 cases, 7.2% grant rate 2026: 865 cases, 3.8% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Hitesman, 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.