Key facts
- US immigration courts are holding "mega" master hearings with hundreds of cases scheduled daily.
- Lead times for immigrants to prepare for hearings have been drastically reduced.
- The no-show rate for immigration court hearings has doubled to 40%.
- Deportation orders issued in June reached approximately 79,000.
- The rate of abandoned asylum claims is nearly five times the historical average.
The Trump administration is accelerating immigration court proceedings by scheduling "mega" master hearings with hundreds of cases daily and significantly reducing preparation time for immigrants. This approach has led to a historic increase in missed court dates and immediate deportation orders, with the no-show rate doubling to 40% and the number of deportation orders reaching approximately 79,000 in June.
Data analyzed by Mobile Pathways shows a nearly threefold jump in "mega" master hearings in June compared to the previous year, with preparation times cut from about six months to just over a month. This combination of packed dockets and collapsed lead times means valid asylum claims are being closed before adjudication, according to Bartlomiej Skorupa, COO of Mobile Pathways.
Supporters of stricter immigration laws, like Andrew Arthur of the Center for Immigration Studies, view the expedited process as a necessary correction for a backlogged system, though he expresses concern about potential judge burnout and denial of due process. The Justice Department stated that judges are adjusting schedules to resolve cases more quickly while ensuring fairness and lawfulness, arguing that delays harm immigrants with valid claims and that deporting those without legal grounds serves the public interest.
Immigrants attending these "mega" hearing days often face long waits. On a recent day with Immigration Judge Delia Gonzalez, about 90 cases were scheduled, and despite over 20 no-shows, she ran out of time to hear all cases, rescheduling some after eight-hour waits. Former immigration judge Elizabeth Young noted that such packed dockets resemble working through a list rather than holding court.
Requests for more time to prepare cases, often due to issues with legal representation or the need to submit extensive documentation, were frequently denied. In one instance, Immigration Judge Brock Taylor in Utah ordered a dozen individuals removed after they failed to appear for their hearings, with no right to appeal. An attorney reported a client receiving a removal order after being unable to attend a hearing due to severe injuries from a vehicle accident.
As a result of the shortened notice periods, the national rate of abandoned asylum claims is now nearly five times the historical average dating back to 2009.