The latest report from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University provides a sobering look at the state of the U.S. Immigration Courts. The data, covering case outcomes through August 2025, reveals a dramatic contraction in the availability of protection, coupled with a persistent and alarming variation in judge-specific decisions.

For any individual or family currently navigating the complex asylum process, these statistics underscore the urgent necessity of expert legal representation.

1. The Asylum Grant Rate Has Been Cut in Half

The most striking finding of the TRAC report is the rapid decline in the nationwide asylum grant rate. Over a 12-month period, the success rate for asylum seekers at their individual merits hearings plummeted by nearly 50%.

• In August 2024, the rate at which Immigration Judges granted asylum was 38.2%.

• By August 2025, the rate had fallen to just 19.2%.

Notably, TRAC points out that this decline was a steady, downward trend that began under the previous administration and has simply continued its precipitous slide under the current one. This demonstrates a systemic shift toward limiting asylum approvals, regardless of the political party in power.

2. Extreme Disparity Persists Between Judges

While the overall odds have declined, the report highlights the massive impact that a specific judge has on an applicant’s case. The wide variation in asylum success rates among different Immigration Judges in the same court remains an existential factor.

• In the San Francisco Immigration Court, the difference between the judge with the highest grant rate (97.1%) and the lowest (4.8%) spanned over 90 percentage points.

• The New York City Immigration Court showed a similar gulf, with grant rates ranging from 92.4% down to 2.6%.

• Other major courts, including Arlington, Virginia, also showed massive disparities, underscoring that where your case is heard, and who hears it, can determine your fate.

These numbers are a clear call to action: in an environment where success hinges so heavily on case presentation and legal strategy, r facing court pro se (without an attorney) is an immense risk.

3. A Court System Under Instability

The report also details the operational volatility within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

• The administration has significantly increased the speed at which it completes asylum cases, with decisions peaking at over 12,000 completions in a single month (April/May 2025). This intense push for speed often comes at the expense of due process.

• The report notes a high degree of churn in the judiciary, including the termination of at least 70 Immigration Judges and a complete halt to the hiring of new permanent judges during a significant part of Fiscal Year 2025. This instability affects the quality and consistency of decisions.

For individuals facing removal proceedings, this combination of plummeting grant rates, judicial instability, and intense pressure for speed means the stakes have never been higher.

The Cohen, Tucker + Ades Advantage

In this rapidly changing and volatile legal landscape, expert representation is not optional—it is essential. Our team is dedicated to staying ahead of these trends, preparing robust legal strategies that account for judicial tendencies and recent policy shifts.

If you are a national of any country pursuing asylum or are currently in removal proceedings, do not face the Immigration Court alone. Contact Cohen, Tucker + Ades today to secure comprehensive and experienced advocacy for your case.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains general information and is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. Immigration laws and fee schedules are subject to frequent change. The information provided herein may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act or refrain from acting based on information contained in this post without seeking professional counsel from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this post.

Sources: 

TRAC Immigration | Immigration Court Asylum Grant Rates Cut in Half