Source: EOIR — Find an Immigration Court.
Recording an internet-based hearing is prohibited (8 C.F.R. § 1003.28). Respondents without a representative default to in-person hearings.
Background
The Honorable Immigration Judge Irene M Recio earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1989 from the University of Miami, a Master of International Business Management in 1991 from the University of Miami, and a Juris Doctor in 1995 from the University of Miami School of Law. Before her appointment, she served as a branch chief at the Administrative Appeals Office, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services/DHS (2014-2019), held earlier positions with USCIS in Washington, D.C. (2012-2014), and worked in private practice at firms including Reed Smith LLP, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, and Baker & McKenzie (1997-2011).
Caseload & process (since 2021)
1,836
Completions per year
11,019 total
1.4%
Detained at decision
share of cases
22.6 mo
Median time to decision
from case start
13.9%
Ordered removed in absentia
person absent
2.8%
Decisions appealed to BIA
appeal rate
11.8%
Appeals remanded or reversed
68 appeals decided
Grant rates by type of relief
Share granted among merits decisions for each application type, since 2021.
Asylum
27.3%
352 decisions High confidence
Withholding / CAT
3.2%
493 decisions High confidence
Cancellation — 42B (non-LPR)
14.6%⚠
41 decisions Too few cases
Cancellation — 42A (LPR)
62.5%⚠
8 decisions Too few cases
Adjustment of status (245)
98%⚠
49 decisions Too few cases
Voluntary departure
89.1%
64 decisions Moderate
27.3%
of asylum claims granted on the merits High confidence
Based on 352 asylum decisions (grants + denials) since 2021.
This judge
27.3%
This court
20.2%
National average
31.8%
0%100% granted
In the top 49% of the 825 judges nationally with enough cases to compare.
Does a lawyer matter here?
Asylum grant rate by whether the person had legal representation.
With a lawyerrepresented · 314 decisions since 2021
29.3%
Without a lawyer⚠unrepresented · 38 decisions since 2021
10.5%
Asylum grant rate over time
Each point is that calendar year's grant rate, back to 2015 where the judge was deciding cases — the longer career view. Dashed grey line = current national average (31.8%). Headline rates above use 2021 – today.
* 2026 is a partial year (data through 06/01/2026) and is incomplete.
Courts where this judge has decided cases
Hearing locations for cases this judge completed since 2021, by number of decisions.
Many judges hear cases from more than one court (detained facilities, video dockets, or reassignments).