Immigration judge
Judge Melissa Beth Karlen
Immigration Judge at Phoenix, AZ
EOIR data through Oct 1, 2026 · updated monthly
- 325
- Granted
- 3,364
- Denied
- 3,689
- Total Decided
Recent decisions (Oct 2024 – Sep 2026): Judge Melissa Beth Karlen granted asylum in 4.7% of 2,208 decided cases. That is lower than the judge's all-time rate of 8.8% (3,689 decided cases). Over the same months, Phoenix, AZ Immigration Court granted 4.3% and the national rate was 5.0%.
Historical listings do not by themselves establish a current assignment.
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How to Interpret These Judge Statistics
Among the largest nationality groups shown for this judge (fiscal years 2020–2026), the table highlights Mexico (1,881 decided, 9.7% grant rate), Guatemala (482 decided, 1.0% grant rate), and Venezuela (374 decided, 5.6% grant rate). Compare these rows with the judge's overall rate because nationality mix can materially change how the headline number should be read.
Grant rate is calculated as granted / (granted + denied). Other procedural outcomes, including terminated, withdrawn, administratively closed, or removed cases, are tracked separately where available and are not treated as asylum grants.
This page is based on public EOIR data last updated 2026-10-01. It is for research and information only, not legal advice.
Read the grant-rate methodology or learn how to read immigration judge statistics.
Nationality Breakdown
Fiscal years 2020–2026 (Oct 2019 – Sep 2026).
| Nationality | Cases | Grant rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 1,881 | 9.7% |
| Guatemala | 482 | 1.0% |
| Venezuela | 374 | 5.6% |
| Honduras | 206 | 2.9% |
| Colombia | 129 | 5.4% |
| Nicaragua | 121 | 9.9% |
| El Salvador | 56 | 5.4% |
| Cuba | 51 | 9.8% |
Yearly Trends
Federal fiscal years (October to September).
| Fiscal year | Cases | Grant rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,539 | 2.5% |
| 2025 | 669 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 653 | 11.9% |
| 2023 | 349 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 127 | 29.1% |
| 2021 | 139 | 26.6% |
| 2020 | 176 | 10.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Judge Melissa Beth Karlen's asylum grant rate?
Across all years in EOIR data, Judge Melissa Beth Karlen granted asylum in 8.8% of 3,689 decided cases (grants plus denials). For Oct 2024 – Sep 2026, the rate was 4.7% of 2,208 decided cases.
Does Judge Melissa Beth Karlen grant asylum more or less often than other judges?
The all-time rate (8.8%) is below the 16.4% national rate; the median judge at Phoenix, AZ grants 8.8%. It is a historical average, not a prediction for any one case.
How is this grant rate calculated?
Grants divided by grants plus denials. Terminations, withdrawals and administrative closures are not counted.