Judge Madeline Garcia

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Garcia, Madeline (IJ code MGM, Miami, FL):

Overall track record

32 years on the bench (since 1995), 10,419 cases total, lifetime grant rate 7.5%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 3,028 cases, grant rate 4.2% — roughly in line with the Miami court average (5.6%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Cuba                  1055    4.2%
Nicaragua              463    1.7%
Guatemala              347    3.7%
Honduras               223    6.5%
Colombia               192    0.6%
Venezuela              185    1.2%
Haiti                  137    1.8%
Mexico                  64   28.3%
Brazil                  61    0.0%
Peru                    49    2.4%
El Salvador             42   21.2%

Year-by-year

2023:  453 cases, 11.3% grant rate
2024:  510 cases, 3.5% grant rate
2025: 1043 cases, 2.6% grant rate
2026: 1022 cases, 2.5% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Garcia, 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.