New York · est. 2013Friday, September 4, 2026
Inside Immigration

Plain-language guides to US immigration, asylum and USCIS procedure.

Immigration judges

Richard Cato

Immigration Judge, Orlando Immigration Court. Appointed October 2022.

StrictDenies more often than the national average+12.6 points

Asylum record, FY 2021-2026

TRAC source →
Judge Cato75.5%
Orlando court72.3%
All judges nationally62.9%
Decisions on the merits
327
Asylum granted
47
Other relief granted
33
Denied
247
Against own court
+3.2 pts
Denial rate by fiscal year
FY25FY26
70%86%

Read from TRAC's chart to the nearest point. Years with fewer than 25 decisions are not shown.

Docket

Respondents represented by counsel: 83% (nationally, 81% are represented).

Most common nationalities: Venezuela (18.7%), Cuba (16.8%), Honduras (13.8%), Colombia (9.8%), Guatemala (7.3%).

Official biography

Richard B. Cato was appointed as an Immigration Judge to begin hearing cases in October 2022. Judge Cato ear ned a Bachelor of Arts in 1980 from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor in 1986 from Florida State University College of Law. From 2008 to 2022, he was a hearing officer and administrative judge with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Hearings and Appeals, National Appeals Division. From 2001 to 2008, he worked for the State of Florida Department of Children and Families in the following roles: staff attorney (2001-2005); deputy chief legal counsel Orange County (2005-2007); and chief legal counsel Polk County (2007- 2008). Also, from 2001 to 2008, he was appointed by the State of Florida Office of the Attorney General to accept periodic case assignments as a board arbitrator for the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board. From 1998 to 2001, he was the mana ging attorney for Greater Orlando Area Legal Services (GOALS). From 1989 to 1998, he was in private practice. From 1988 to 1989, he was an associate attorney with Perry & Lamb, PA. From 1986 to 1988, he was a GOALS staff attorney and office manager. Judge Cato is a member of the Florida Bar.

As published by the Executive Office for Immigration Review at appointment, via TRAC.

In the record

No published reporting or appellate decisions naming this judge have been collected yet.

Other judges at Orlando

Court page →

About these figures. Denial rates describe outcomes in the cases a judge happened to hear, which differ by detention, nationality and representation. They are not a measure of fairness or competence. Method and sources are on the judges index.