Appointed May 2024 · President Joe Biden→ Attorney General Merrick Garland(AG inferred from date)
2 years on the immigration bench
Appointed under a Democratic administration
Background
The Honorable Immigration Judge Rajesh Mathew earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2008 from Saint Xavier University, a Juris Doctor in 2012 from The John Marshall Law School, a Master of Arts in 2020 from Liberty University, and a Master of Laws in 2020 from The George Washington University Law School. Before his appointment, he served as assistant general counsel with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2023-2024) and as an attorney with the United States Air Force at multiple bases (2013-2023). He is a member of the District of Columbia, Illinois State, and New York State Bars.
Caseload & process (since 2021)
295
Completions per year
1,768 total
3.3%
Detained at decision
share of cases
16.3 mo
Median time to decision
from case start
17.7%
Ordered removed in absentia
person absent
15%
Decisions appealed to BIA
appeal rate
—
Appeals remanded or reversed
only 9 appeals — too few
Grant rates by type of relief
Share granted among merits decisions for each application type, since 2021.
Asylum
33.8%
370 decisions High confidence
Withholding / CAT
10.6%
453 decisions High confidence
Cancellation — 42B (non-LPR)
0%⚠
8 decisions Too few cases
Cancellation — 42A (LPR)
100%⚠
1 decision Too few cases
Adjustment of status (245)
100%⚠
1 decision Too few cases
Voluntary departure
96.4%⚠
28 decisions Too few cases
33.8%
of asylum claims granted on the merits High confidence
Based on 370 asylum decisions (grants + denials) since 2021.
This judge
33.8%
This court
42%
National average
31.8%
0%100% granted
In the top 39% 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 · 335 decisions since 2021
36.4%
Without a lawyer⚠unrepresented · 35 decisions since 2021
8.6%
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).