A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Chan, Matthew (IJ code MWC, Santa Ana, CA):
Overall track record
5 years on the bench (since 2022), 1,720 cases total, lifetime grant rate 13.8%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 1,631 cases, grant rate 12.6% — 3.1pp above the Santa Ana court average (9.5%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 409 5.2% Nicaragua 284 9.2% Guatemala 183 0.8% Colombia 158 4.2% India 86 17.8% China 75 55.4% El Salvador 64 1.8% Honduras 61 0.0% Peru 59 0.0% Russia 48 53.2% Romania 27 0.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 403 cases, 23.5% grant rate 2024: 285 cases, 17.8% grant rate 2025: 533 cases, 6.0% grant rate 2026: 410 cases, 1.6% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Chan, 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.