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
EOIR Releases Statistics on Circuit Court Remands Filed
EOIR released statistics on circuit court remands filed from FY2008 to FY2020. In FY2020, 660 circuit court remands were filed.
EOIR Releases Statistics on All Appeals Filed, Completed, and Pending
EOIR released statistics on all appeals filed, completed, and pending from FY2008 to FY2020. In FY2020, 58,901 appeals were filed; 40,393 appeals completed; and 90,940 appeals were pending.
EOIR Releases FY2020 Statistics on Video Teleconference Hearings and Adjournments
EOIR released statistics on the number of video teleconference (VTC) hearings and adjournments for FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR held 1,447,714 hearings out of which 282,232 were VTC hearings. Nine hundred and twenty three hearings were adjourned due to video malfunction.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Number of Courtrooms
EOIR released statistics from 2007 (calendar year) to FY2020 on the total number of courtrooms. As of FY2020, EOIR had 474 courtrooms, excluding the courtrooms in Saipan and in Louisville.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Video Teleconference Hearings and Appeals
EOIR released statistics from FY2019 to FY2020 on the total number of completed cases with a video teleconference (VTC) hearing, case appeals filed, appeals of completed cases with a VTC hearing, and appeals of completed cases with a VTC hearing alleging a VTC hearing issue.
EOIR Releases Data on Initial Receipts with Specific Charges for Removal, Deportation, and Exclusion Cases
EOIR released data from FY2008 to FY2020 on initial receipts for removal, deportation, and exclusion cases; initial receipts with specific charges; leads with riders; riders; leads and riders; and percentage of leads and riders.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Decision Outcomes for FY2020
EOIR released statistics on outcomes of initial case decisions for FY2020. 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 Releases Historical Data on New Cases and Total Completions
: EOIR released historical data, from FY1983 through FY2020, for initial receipts of new removal, deportation, exclusions, asylum-only, and withholding-only cases, and total case completions.
EOIR Releases FY2020 Data on Complaints Against Immigration Judges
EOIR released information on complaints against immigration judges, including complaints from FY2016-FY2020, 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 Immigration Judge Complaints
EOIR released statistics on the number of initial receipts of complaints against immigration judges from FY2009 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR received 93 complaints against immigration judges.
EOIR Releases Comparison of In Absentia Removal Order Rates for FY2014–FY2020
EOIR released in absentia removal order rates from FY2014 to FY2020, comparing in absentia removal order rates for unaccompanied children (UAC) cases with non-UAC cases. The ratio of UAC in absentia removal orders to non-UAC in absentia removal orders for FY2020 was 0.99:1.
EOIR Released Statistics on In Absentia Removal Orders in Cases Originating with a Credible Fear Claim
EOIR released data on in absentia removal orders issued in cases originating with a credible fear claim from FY2008 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR issued 7,322 in absentia removal orders in cases originating with a credible fear claim.
EOIR Released Statistics on FOIA Receipts
EOIR released statistics on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) receipts from FY2013 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR had 49,468 FOIA receipts.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Administratively Closed Cases
EOIR released statistics on administratively closed cases from FY2008 through FY2020. At the end of FY2020, EOIR had 310,627 inactive pending cases.
EOIR Released Statistics on In Absentia Removal Orders
EOIR released statistics on in absentia removal orders from FY2008 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR issued a total of 86,555 in absentia removal orders.
EOIR Releases Statistics on New Cases and Total Completions
EOIR released statistics on new cases and total case completions from FY2008 through FY2020. As of the end of FY2020, EOIR had receipts for 361,982 new cases and 231,237 total case completions.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Asylum Rates
EOIR released statistics on asylum decision rates from FY2008 through the FY2020. At the end of FY2020, EOIR had a 54.55 percent denial rate and a 19.12 percent grant rate.
EOIR Released Statistics on Asylum Applicant In Absentia Removal Orders
EOIR released statistics on asylum applicant in absentia removal orders from FY2008 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR issued 6,928 in absentia removal orders for asylum applicants.
EOIR Released Statistics on Pending Unaccompanied Child Cases
EOIR released statistics on pending unaccompanied child (UAC) cases from FY2008 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR had 103,035 pending UAC cases.
EOIR Released Statistics on UAC In Absentia Removal Orders
EOIR released statistics on unaccompanied children (UAC) in absentia removal orders from FY2008 through FY2020. In FY2020, EOIR issued a total of 4,514 UAC in absentia removal orders.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Representation Rates
EOIR released FY2020 statistics on the overall representation rate; the representation rate for all pending UAC cases and UAC cases pending for more than a year; the representation rate for pending asylum cases and completed asylum cases; and the representation rate for all completed appeals.
EOIR Releases Statistics on Motions
EOIR released statistics on motions to reopen, motions to re-calendar, and motions to re-consider from FY2008 through FY2020. For FY2020, 17,596 motions to reopen were filed in immigration courts and 4,981 were filed with the BIA.
AILA and Partners Submit Amicus Brief in Matter of A-M-R-C-
AILA and partners submitted an amicus brief arguing that the Attorney General should vacate the referral order in Matter of A-M-R-C- which would require reopening A-M-R-C-‘s removal proceedings, an action that the AG cannot lawfully take, and that would harm national interests.
District Court Dismisses Lawsuit Over Unaccompanied Minors’ Access and Right to Abortions
The court agreed to dismiss a lawsuit after ORR changed its policy to block unaccompanied minors in its custody access to abortions and under the dismissal will no longer interfere in unaccompanied minors’ efforts to obtain this procedure. (J.D., et al., v. Azar, et al., 9/29/20)
DHS OIG Says CBP Did Not Adequately Oversee FY2019 Appropriated Humanitarian Funding
DHS OIG released a report saying that CBP did not adequately use the funds it received in FY2019 to address the needs of migrants in custody. CBP did not ensure the funds were used to purchase items that met migrants’ basic needs and cannot account for funds provided for medical care for migrants.