A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Hope, Karen (IJ code KNH, Santa Ana, CA):
Overall track record
5 years on the bench (since 2022), 2,159 cases total, lifetime grant rate 7.1%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 1,992 cases, grant rate 6.7% — roughly in line with the Santa Ana court average (9.5%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 566 3.4% Colombia 260 0.0% Nicaragua 225 2.8% Guatemala 213 0.5% El Salvador 120 11.3% Honduras 110 4.0% Venezuela 78 0.0% China 64 36.1% Peru 62 5.3% Russia 42 35.7% India 40 18.4%
Year-by-year
2023: 200 cases, 15.0% grant rate 2024: 378 cases, 16.8% grant rate 2025: 794 cases, 3.3% grant rate 2026: 620 cases, 2.0% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Hope, 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.