Judge Patrick M. Mckenna

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Mckenna, Patrick M. (IJ code PKM, Chicago, IL):

Overall track record

26 years on the bench (since 2001), 10,041 cases total, lifetime grant rate 9.6%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 5,306 cases, grant rate 7.9% — roughly in line with the Chicago court average (10.6%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Honduras               883    2.6%
Mexico                 870   10.3%
Guatemala              794    4.4%
Nicaragua              767    5.3%
Venezuela              731    9.6%
Colombia               322    0.7%
Ecuador                249    0.0%
El Salvador            132    8.1%
Russia                  73   45.3%
India                   45   21.6%
Peru                    38    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023:  773 cases, 21.3% grant rate
2024:  853 cases, 19.2% grant rate
2025: 1591 cases, 5.8% grant rate
2026: 2089 cases, 1.9% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Mckenna, 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.