US Immigration Courts Overwhelmed by Record Caseload

U.S. immigration courts have faced an unprecedented workload, recording 360,658 new cases in fiscal year 2026 up to May. During the same period, judges finalized 583,497 cases, reflecting a steep increase in both filings and disposals.

Removal orders were the outcome in 84.5 percent of the cases that reached completion in May 2026, indicating a high rate of deportation decisions among the docketed matters.

Legal representation remained limited; only 27.7 percent of immigrants had an attorney when removal orders were issued, underscoring a significant gap in counsel access amid the courts' mounting pressures.