Judge Stephen M. Ruhle

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Ruhle, Stephen M. (IJ code SMR, El Paso Detained, TX):

Overall track record

19 years on the bench (since 2008), 10,417 cases total, lifetime grant rate 4.6%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,360 cases, grant rate 8.3% — roughly in line with the El Paso Detained court average (5.4%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Mexico                 882    5.2%
Venezuela              333   11.1%
Guatemala              189    4.9%
Honduras               179    1.4%
Colombia               115    4.3%
Cuba                    99   19.7%
Ecuador                 94    9.8%
El Salvador             90    2.7%
Nicaragua               78   11.4%
Brazil                  37    4.5%
Dominican Republic      27    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023:  260 cases, 19.9% grant rate
2024:  411 cases, 11.0% grant rate
2025: 1042 cases, 4.0% grant rate
2026:  647 cases, 9.2% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Ruhle, 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.