Judge Michelle Araneta

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Araneta, Michelle (IJ code MCA, Miami, FL):

Overall track record

31 years on the bench (since 1996), 5,088 cases total, lifetime grant rate 6.9%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 3,517 cases, grant rate 4.9% — roughly in line with the Miami court average (5.9%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Cuba                  1428   10.3%
Nicaragua              407    1.3%
Guatemala              399    3.3%
Honduras               295    5.1%
Haiti                  241    1.2%
Venezuela              212    1.3%
Colombia               120    3.1%
Mexico                  97    9.6%
Brazil                  72    1.9%
El Salvador             46    5.3%
Peru                    29    5.0%

Cuba applicants see a 10.3% grant rate versus 1.2% for Haiti applicants — a 8.4× gap on this judge's docket.

Year-by-year

2023:  733 cases, 8.9% grant rate
2024:  866 cases, 6.8% grant rate
2025: 1195 cases, 3.6% grant rate
2026:  723 cases, 1.8% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Araneta, 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.