Less time to prepare and more hearings: why US deportation orders are increasing
The U.S. immigration court system is undergoing rapid changes under the Trump administration, which aims to reduce a backlog of cases that has accumulated over decades. To achieve this, the government has increased the frequency of 'mega hearings,' where a single judge handles more than 50 cases in a short period. This approach has led to fewer preparation times for immigrants, who now have less than a month to gather documents, find legal representation, and prepare evidence, previously around six months. As a result, many immigrants miss their hearings and automatically receive deportation orders. According to data analyzed by the organization Mobile Pathways, over 1,300 mega hearings were held nationwide in June alone, nearly three times the number recorded in June of the previous year. The compressed timelines and heavy caseloads make it difficult for judges to thoroughly review asylum claims, leading to potentially valid cases being closed before they are properly examined.
The U.S. immigration courts are under unprecedented strain, with a dramatic increase in deportation orders driven by accelerated processing and shortened preparation times for immigrants. According to reports from multiple media outlets, the system has been transformed under the administration of former President Donald Trump, which has intensified efforts to reduce backlogs that have accumulated over decades. This shift has led to more frequent “megaaudiencias,” or mass hearings, where a single judge handles over 50 cases within hours. These changes have significantly reduced the time available for immigrants to gather documents, secure legal representation, and prepare their defense, often cutting the window from six months to just over one month. The impact of this rapid acceleration is evident in rising rates of non-attendance at court hearings and subsequent deportation orders. Data analyzed by Mobile Pathways, an organization tracking immigration court activity, shows that during June 2026 alone, over 1,300 such mass hearings were held nationwide, a nearly threefold increase compared to the same month in the previous year. The number of cases handled per judge in a single day has surged, with some courts reporting hundreds of cases processed in one session. Meanwhile, the notice period for upcoming hearings has been drastically shortened, leaving many individuals with little opportunity to organize their defenses effectively. As a result, the percentage of undocumented immigrants failing to appear for their scheduled hearings has risen sharply. In January 2025, approximately 20% of individuals missed their appointments, but by June 2026, that figure had doubled to nearly 40%. This trend has directly contributed to a surge in automatic deportation orders. In January 2025, around 33,000 such orders were issued, while by June 2026, the number had climbed to roughly 79,000. Once these orders are finalized, asylum applications are typically deemed abandoned, effectively ending the possibility of legal status for those affected. This situation is playing out daily in immigration court facilities across the country. In Harlingen, Texas, for example, the high volume of megaaudiencias has caused long delays, with many individuals waiting over an hour before being allowed into court buildings. The pressure on the system is further compounded by the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at airports, where they conduct routine checks and detain individuals suspected of violating immigration laws. One recent case involves Matías Pourrain, a 34-year-old Argentine football player who was detained by ICE at Fort Lauderdale International Airport while traveling with his team to Los Angeles for a tournament. Pourrain, who plays in the U.S. second division, reportedly received a brief warning that he would be released in 10 minutes but was not returned to his family. His brother, Juan Pourrain, described the distress of the family, noting that the call they received lasted only five seconds before the authorities cut off communication. The family claims that Pourrain entered the country legally and holds a valid work permit and pending migration status, yet he remains in custody awaiting resolution of his case. Another individual caught up in the heightened enforcement measures is Iliana Lick, a 30-year-old Argentine woman working as a nanny in Philadelphia. She was arrested by ICE at the airport after attempting to travel to Kansas City to watch a World Cup match. Her partner, Steven Melchiorre, recounted how she called him in tears shortly after being detained, informing him of her arrest. Lick had entered the U.S. legally through a tourist visa and was seeking a work visa, with an ongoing application for permanent residency. Despite having no criminal record and consistently paying taxes, she was detained under the expanded ICE operations targeting unauthorized migrants. These incidents highlight the broader strategy of the current administration, which has intensified its focus on border security and immigration enforcement as part of its campaign for the 2024 presidential election. Federal officials have noted a sharp rise in airport arrests, with an average of 20 to 40 detentions per day in recent months, compared to fewer than 10 in May of the previous year. Advocacy groups argue that this approach reflects a deliberate effort to disrupt the movement of undocumented individuals within the country, reversing policies implemented under the Biden administration that allowed such travel.
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