Featured Issue: U.S. Immigration Courts under Trump 2.0
The U.S. immigration court system plays a critical role in upholding due process and ensuring fair hearings for individuals facing deportation. However, since January 20, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has implemented significant changes that challenge the structural integrity of these courts. This page aims to provide up-to-date information on the policy and legal shifts affecting the U.S. immigration court system.
Latest Updates
Updates from EOIR
Browse the Featured Issue: U.S. Immigration Courts under Trump 2.0 collection
Resources on Class Action Lawsuit Against Private Prison Contractor
Nine federal immigrant detainees filed a class action complaint (Menocal, et al. v. The Geo Group, Inc.) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against private prison contractor, The GEO Group, alleging violations for unpaid wages and forced labor.
USCIS Statistics on Asylum Filings for Minors for FY2018
USCIS statistics for FY2018 (October 2017–September 2018) on minor principal applicants (affirmative asylum applicants under the age of 18 at time of filing) and asylum applicants of any age filing with USCIS under the initial jurisdiction provision of the TVPRA.
EOIR Releases Data on Complaints Against Immigration Judges (FY2018)
EOIR released information on complaints against immigration judges, including complaints from FY2013-FY2018, number and percentage of IJs against whom complaints were received, the nature of complaints opened, sources of complaints, and methods of disposition for complaints closed.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Decision Outcomes for FY2018
EOIR released statistics on outcomes of initial case decisions for FY2018 (10/1/17–9/30/18). Statistics cover removal, deportation, and exclusion cases; asylum-only and withholding-only cases; and credible fear reviews, reasonable fear reviews, and claimed status reviews.
EOIR Released Rates of Asylum Filings in Cases Originating with a Credible Fear Claim for FY2008–FY2018
EOIR released rates of asylum filings in cases originating with a credible fear claim, broken down by those referred following a credible fear claim and those referred following a credible fear claim and filed asylum application, for FY2008–FY2018.
EOIR Released Asylum Decision Rates by Nationality for FY2018
EOIR released asylum rates broken down by nationality for FY2018, including information on asylum grants, denials, administrative closure, and more.
EOIR Released Statistics on Motions to Reopen for FY2008–FY2018
EOIR released statistics on the number of motions to reopen (MTRs) filed at immigration courts and at the BIA from FY2008 through FY2018.
EOIR Releases Representation Rates for FY2018
EOIR released statistics on representation rates for FY2018 (10/1/17–9/30/18), including rates for all cases, all UAC cases, UAC cases pending more than one year, pending asylum cases, and completed asylum cases.
EOIR Releases Median Completion Times for Detained Cases
EOIR released the median completion time for detained cases for FY2008 through FY2018, broken down by non-review cases (removal, deportation, exclusion, asylum-only, and withholding-only cases) and review cases (credible fear review, reasonable fear review, and claimed status review).
EOIR Released Median Pending Times for Detained Cases
EOIR released the median pending times for detained cases (broken down by review cases and non-review cases) for FY2008 through FY2018.
EOIR Released Percentage of DHS-Detained Cases Completed Within Six Months for FY2018
EOIR released the median pending times for detained cases (broken down by review cases and non-review cases) for FY2008 through FY2018.
EOIR Released Statistics on Asylum Applicant In Absentia Removal Orders
EOIR released statistics on orders issued in absentia in removal, deportation, and exclusion cases in which the individual filed an asylum application for FY2008 through FY2018.
EOIR Released Statistics on UAC In Absentia Removal Orders
EOIR released statistics on in absentia removal orders in cases involving unaccompanied children for FY2008 through FY2018.
EOIR Released Median Pending Time and Median Completion Time for UAC Cases
EOIR released the median pending time and median completion time for unaccompanied children cases for FY2018.
EOIR Released Statistics on Current UAC Cases Pending More Than Three Years
EOIR released statistics on unaccompanied children cases pending more than three years for FY2018.
USCIS Performance Data on DACA Applications Through September 2018
USCIS provides statistics on I-821D DACA applications, broken down by intake, case status, and whether the application was an initial or renewal application for FY2012 through FY2018. The FY2018 data is broken down by quarter.
EOIR Released Statistics on Asylum Grant Rates by Court for FY2018
EOIR has released statistics on asylum grant rates by court for FY2018.
DHS OIG: Results of Unannounced Inspections of Conditions for Unaccompanied Children in CBP Custody
DHS OIG issued a report based on visits between June 26, and 28, 2018, by an OIG team to nine CBP facilities in McAllen and El Paso, Texas, including five Border Patrol stations and four OFO ports of entry. DHS OIG found that children were held longer than the 72 hours generally permitted by law.
EOIR Announces Investiture of 46 Immigration Judges
EOIR announced the investiture of 46 immigration judges, including two assistant child immigration judges. In 2017, Attorney General Sessions announced a “streamlined hiring plan”, resulting in a reduction of 74 percent in the time it takes to onboard immigration judges since then.
BIA Dismisses Appeal of Bond Decision Absent Evidence to Support Respondent’s Position
Unpublished BIA decision dismisses respondent’s appeal of IJ’s bond decision, finding respondent did not present arguments or evidence to support his position that the bond amount was set too high. (Matter of M-S-, 9/28/18)
DHS OIG: Initial Observations Regarding Family Separation Issues Under the Zero Tolerance Policy
DHS OIG issued a report with its observations in the field and its analysis of family separation data based on visits between June 26, and 28, 2018, by an OIG team to nine CBP facilities in McAllen and El Paso, Texas, including five Border Patrol stations and four OFO ports of entry.
DHS OIG Report on Issues Requiring Action at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center
DHS OIG issued a report after an unannounced visit to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center and identified serious violations including improper and overly restrictive segregation and untimely and inadequate detainee medical care.
Democratic Senators Demand DHS and HHS to Rescind the Proposed Rule on Flores Settlement Agreement
On 9/26/18, twenty-nine Democratic senators urged DHS and HHS to rescind their 9/7/18 proposed regulation that would allow the indefinite detention of children in ICE facilities and avoid complying with the government’s legal obligations under the 1997 Flores Settlement.
Congress Urges DHS Inspector General to Investigate Allegations of Coercion and Abuse Against Separated Immigrant Parents
On 9/26/18, members of the House and Senate sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security’s Acting Inspector General, urging for an investigation of allegations of coercion and abuse by DHS officers against immigrant parents separated from their children at the border.
CA3 Holds Noncitizen with Reinstated Removal Order Pursuing Withholding-Only Is Subject to Detention Under §241(a), Which CA3 Finds Has Implicit Bond
The court, following CA9, found petitioner was detained pursuant to §241(a) because his reinstated order of removal was administratively final despite his open withholding-only request. (Guerrero-Sanchez v. Osterlind, 9/26/18)