A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Howard, Justin W. (IJ code JWH, Kansas City, MO):
Overall track record
27 years on the bench (since 2000), 11,145 cases total, lifetime grant rate 7.4%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 6,978 cases, grant rate 4.9% — roughly in line with the Kansas City court average (2.9%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Honduras 1776 1.8% Guatemala 1715 1.5% Mexico 971 7.0% Cuba 910 23.8% Nicaragua 397 2.7% El Salvador 261 10.8% Venezuela 236 7.2% Colombia 187 0.0% Romania 54 0.0% Peru 45 0.0% Brazil 39 6.2%
Year-by-year
2023: 1582 cases, 5.4% grant rate 2024: 1566 cases, 4.1% grant rate 2025: 1746 cases, 6.9% grant rate 2026: 2084 cases, 3.4% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Howard, 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.