ASYLUMJUDGE · IMMIGRATION JUDGE PROFILE
Michael C. Engel
Elizabeth (ELZ) · Elizabeth, NJ
Michael C. Engel is listed with Elizabeth (ELZ). The database records 65 asylum outcomes: 3 approved, 62 denied, and 0 other outcomes. Historical statistics are informational and cannot predict an individual case. · 2026-02-18 – 2026-07-01
Yearly changes
Yearly asylum decision trend
Fiscal yearDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate
FY 20266536204.6%
Applicant origin
Asylum decisions by fiscal year and nationality
FY 2026 · 2025-10-01 – 2026-07-01 · EOIR
NationalityDecisionsGrantedDeniedOtherApproval rate
FY 2026 · Venezuela2026-02-23 – 2026-06-098260—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Haiti2026-04-09 – 2026-05-287070—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Ecuador2026-02-27 – 2026-05-275050—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Egypt2026-04-07 – 2026-07-014040—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Honduras2026-04-08 – 2026-06-124040—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Uzbekistan2026-03-02 – 2026-05-193030—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Mauritania2026-03-20 – 2026-04-273030—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · India2026-05-26 – 2026-06-243030—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Guatemala2026-06-23 – 2026-06-242020—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Senegal2026-04-07 – 2026-06-122020—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Dominican Republic2026-04-24 – 2026-06-112020—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Nicaragua2026-03-02 – 2026-03-092020—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Russia2026-04-27 – 2026-06-182110—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Colombia2026-05-22 – 2026-06-052020—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · China2026-03-31 – 2026-06-022020—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Georgia2026-03-11 – 2026-03-111010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Kirghizia (Kyrgyzstan)2026-05-11 – 2026-05-111010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Jamaica2026-04-17 – 2026-04-171010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Ethiopia2026-02-18 – 2026-02-181010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · El Salvador2026-04-01 – 2026-04-011010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Mexico2026-06-24 – 2026-06-241010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Brazil2026-03-04 – 2026-03-041010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Algeria2026-06-24 – 2026-06-241010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Peru2026-05-14 – 2026-05-141010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Equatorial Guinea2026-05-01 – 2026-05-011010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Afghanistan2026-04-30 – 2026-04-301010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Cuba2026-05-13 – 2026-05-131010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Pakistan2026-06-18 – 2026-06-181010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
FY 2026 · Belize2026-03-31 – 2026-03-311010—Fewer than 50; rate hidden
Official appointment record
Judge background and appointment
Official biography
Michael C. Engel was appointed as a temporary immigration judge to begin hearing cases in February 2026. Judge Engel earned a Bachelor of Science in 1992 from Missouri State University, a Master of Business Administration in 2017 from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America. From 2002 to January 2026, he served at the Federal Communications Commission, and in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General's Corps. He holds the rank of colonel. Judge Engel is a member of the New York State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.
Education: Judge Engel earned a Bachelor of Science in 1992 from Missouri State University, a Master of Business Administration in 2017 from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a Juris Doctor in 1999 from Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America.
Bar admission: Judge Engel is a member of the New York State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.
EOIR Announces 6 Immigration Judges and 27 Temporary Immigration Judges (2026-02-05) →
This page shows only verifiable official appointment and biography records. No departure record does not confirm current service; personnel changes are labeled only with reliable sources.
How to read approval rates
Decision approval rateis approved ÷ (approved + denied). Blue “Other” is shown separately and includes identifiable withholding/CAT protection, cancellation or adjustment, voluntary departure, withdrawal, termination, dismissal, and administrative closure; it is excluded from the rate denominator.Approved share of all outcomesuses approved, denied, and other outcomes in the denominator.
With small samples, a few cases can move the percentage sharply. The page flags samples below 50 and below 200 decisions.
View methodology and sources →
AsylumJudge organizes public EOIR immigration-court data and provides no legal conclusion for any individual case.
Understand immigration judge approval rates
Compare this profile with the site-wide explanation of asylum judge ratings, sample sizes, approval rates, and limitations.
Asylum judge rating & approval rate guide →