A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Beese, Matthew C. (IJ code MCB, Chicago, IL):
Overall track record
1 years on the bench (since 2026), 798 cases total, lifetime grant rate 0.9%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 798 cases, grant rate 0.9% — 11.5pp below the Chicago court average (12.4%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 239 0.6% Venezuela 124 0.9% Nicaragua 119 0.0% Guatemala 73 0.0% Honduras 69 0.0% Ecuador 45 0.0% Colombia 40 0.0% El Salvador 10 0.0% Haiti 8 0.0% Turkey 8 0.0% India 7 0.0%
If you've appeared before Judge Beese, 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.