Judge Lourdes Martinez-Esquivel

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Martinez-Esquivel, Lourdes (IJ code LME, Miami, FL):

Overall track record

38 years on the bench (since 1989), 11,041 cases total, lifetime grant rate 18.3%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 3,291 cases, grant rate 6.6% — roughly in line with the Miami court average (5.6%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Cuba                  1030   14.2%
Nicaragua              503    1.7%
Guatemala              315    7.3%
Haiti                  286    1.7%
Venezuela              277    5.0%
Honduras               229    3.9%
Colombia               175    4.0%
Mexico                  97   20.8%
Brazil                  76    7.3%
El Salvador             67   12.5%
Peru                    61    1.8%

Mexico applicants see a 20.8% grant rate versus 1.7% for Nicaragua applicants — a 12.5× gap on this judge's docket.

Year-by-year

2023:  684 cases, 11.2% grant rate
2024:  501 cases, 9.9% grant rate
2025:  990 cases, 4.1% grant rate
2026: 1116 cases, 4.1% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Martinez-Esquivel, 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.