Judge Xavier Francois Nicola. Racine

A few numbers worth knowing if you have a hearing in front of Judge Racine, Xavier Francois Nicola. (IJ code XFR, Sterling, VA):

Overall track record

5 years on the bench (since 2022), 2,869 cases total, lifetime grant rate 13.2%

Last 3 years (2023–2026): 2,856 cases, grant rate 13.0% — roughly in line with the Sterling court average (10.8%)

Nationality breakdown (2023–2026 cumulative)

Nationality / Cases / Grant rate
Honduras               575   13.6%
El Salvador            514   22.0%
Guatemala              423    3.6%
Mexico                 268    5.8%
Venezuela              246    9.9%
Peru                   193    6.3%
Nicaragua              137   12.1%
Colombia               118    3.6%
Cuba                    55   40.0%
Bolivia                 42    2.4%
Brazil                  35    0.0%

Year-by-year

2023:  231 cases, 37.4% grant rate
2024:  846 cases, 12.9% grant rate
2025:  863 cases, 12.2% grant rate
2026:  916 cases, 7.0% grant rate

If you've appeared before Judge Racine, 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.