A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Santos-Garcia, Sandra J. (IJ code SJS, Van Nuys, CA):
Overall track record
11 years on the bench (since 2016), 4,898 cases total, lifetime grant rate 14.3%
Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,668 cases, grant rate 13.1% — roughly in line with the Van Nuys court average (10.9%)
Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)
Nationality / Cases / Grant rate Mexico 675 3.1% Guatemala 368 1.2% El Salvador 281 6.0% Peru 259 0.4% Armenia 212 64.8% Nicaragua 175 13.8% Russia 141 49.6% Honduras 129 1.6% Colombia 127 0.0% India 44 8.1% Venezuela 35 3.0%
Year-by-year
2023: 383 cases, 28.1% grant rate 2024: 700 cases, 17.1% grant rate 2025: 796 cases, 11.2% grant rate 2026: 789 cases, 3.0% grant rate
If you've appeared before Judge Santos-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, 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.