Judge Paul M. Habich

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Habich, Paul M. (IJ code PMH, Phoenix, AZ):

Overall track record

32 years on the bench (since 1995), 5,456 cases total, lifetime grant rate 11.7%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 3,912 cases, grant rate 6.8% — roughly in line with the Phoenix court average (7.2%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Mexico                1698    1.8%
Cuba                   484   45.0%
Venezuela              406   14.4%
Guatemala              378    0.9%
Colombia               185    1.8%
Honduras               172    0.7%
Nicaragua              110   21.2%
Peru                    54    0.0%
El Salvador             53    2.4%
Romania                 52    4.7%
Ecuador                 48    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023:  404 cases, 10.0% grant rate
2024:  764 cases, 11.1% grant rate
2025: 1242 cases, 6.2% grant rate
2026: 1502 cases, 4.5% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Habich, 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.