Judge Karen Hope

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.