Courts, USCIS and Immigration Hearings Under Due-Process Strain

A 3.09 million-case backlog, long waits, abrupt hearing changes, inadequate notice, remote judges, rising in absentia orders, restricted access at pop-up courts, representation gaps, and reported losses of more than 100 veteran immigration judges show sustained procedural pressure. A federal judge’s Oct. 7 biometrics order for detained people with pending USCIS cases adds a specific access and compliance issue, while USCIS and ICE fee increases begin Oct. 16 and mandatory-detention review remains pending.