Judge Rene D. Mateo

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Mateo, Rene D. (IJ code RDM, Miami, FL):

Overall track record

33 years on the bench (since 1994), 10,298 cases total, lifetime grant rate 13.8%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 4,375 cases, grant rate 5.7% — roughly in line with the Miami court average (5.6%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Cuba                  2198    9.6%
Nicaragua              345    1.0%
Haiti                  344    3.7%
Guatemala              279    2.1%
Venezuela              272    1.5%
Honduras               231    2.2%
Colombia               155    5.1%
Mexico                 138   17.3%
Brazil                  85    0.0%
El Salvador             52   14.3%
Peru                    39    7.7%

Year-by-year

2023:  696 cases, 16.5% grant rate
2024:  796 cases, 8.9% grant rate
2025: 1582 cases, 2.3% grant rate
2026: 1301 cases, 1.1% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Mateo, 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.