Judge Joseph Kassell

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Kassell, Joseph (IJ code JHK, Richmond, VA):

Overall track record

4 years on the bench (since 2023), 1,657 cases total, lifetime grant rate 7.7%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 1,648 cases, grant rate 7.7%

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Mexico                 222    2.1%
Honduras               209    5.4%
Venezuela              183    5.9%
Guatemala              147    4.6%
El Salvador            118    6.9%
Colombia                82    5.9%
Ecuador                 81    9.5%
Peru                    62    3.5%
Dominican Republic      54    4.3%
Nicaragua               53   16.3%
Brazil                  38    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023:  348 cases, 4.5% grant rate
2024:  209 cases, 20.8% grant rate
2025:  338 cases, 13.5% grant rate
2026:  753 cases, 3.3% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Kassell, 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.