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 Rifian S Newaz earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2001 from Rice University and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from the University of Texas School of Law. Before his appointment he was counsel at Davis & Santos (2018-2019) and an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas in El Paso (2011-2018). Earlier he served as an assistant district attorney for Harris County in Houston (2004-2010).
Caseload & process (since 2021)
2,692
Completions per year
16,149 total
9.6%
Detained at decision
share of cases
18.4 mo
Median time to decision
from case start
31.9%
Ordered removed in absentia
person absent
4%
Decisions appealed to BIA
appeal rate
33.3%
Appeals remanded or reversed
102 appeals decided
Bond decisions
Custody redetermination (bond) rulings since 2021.
"Granted" means the judge lowered the bond, ordered release on recognizance, or otherwise granted the request.
83.5%
Bond requests granted
133 bond decisions Moderate
$8,000
Median bond when set
109 bonds with amounts
0%
Released on own recognizance
This judge 83.5%
Court average 64.8% · median $10,000
National 41.9% · median $6,500
Grant rates by type of relief
Share granted among merits decisions for each application type, since 2021.
Asylum
28.1%
1,045 decisions High confidence
Withholding / CAT
2.4%
1,467 decisions High confidence
Cancellation — 42B (non-LPR)
30.6%⚠
49 decisions Too few cases
Cancellation — 42A (LPR)
25%⚠
8 decisions Too few cases
Adjustment of status (245)
20.5%⚠
39 decisions Too few cases
Voluntary departure
94.9%
505 decisions High confidence
28.1%
of asylum claims granted on the merits High confidence
Based on 1,045 asylum decisions (grants + denials) since 2021.
This judge
28.1%
This court
30.7%
National average
31.8%
0%100% granted
In the top 48% 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 · 865 decisions since 2021
31.3%
Without a lawyerunrepresented · 180 decisions since 2021
12.8%
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).