Chaos in Los Angeles Immigration Courts Increases Deportation Orders for Missed Hearings

Mass hearings overwhelm immigration courts.

Deportation orders increase after missed appearances.

Attorneys raise concerns about due process.

New mass hearings in the Los Angeles immigration courts are raising concerns among immigration attorneys and migrant advocacy organizations, who say the system is leading to an increase in deportation orders against people who either fail to arrive on time or do not fully understand the status of their cases.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, the strategy introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration to speed up the resolution of asylum cases has placed additional pressure on immigration courts that were already dealing with significant backlogs.

According to legal experts, the consequences go beyond administrative efficiency and could affect the ability of thousands of people to fully present their cases before facing possible deportation.

Mass Los Angeles immigration court hearings are changing how the courts operate

Deportation Orders for Missed Hearings Increase – PHOTO: Envato

One of the biggest changes is the implementation of so-called «mega master calendar hearings,» sessions that bring together between 60 and 100 people over approximately four hours.

Until recently, these hearings typically included no more than 20 participants, allowing judges and attorneys to devote more attention to each individual case.

The new format has significantly increased the number of people who must wait for hours to learn about the status of their immigration proceedings.

According to observations made by the Los Angeles Times during one of these sessions, 14 immigrants failed to appear for their hearings and were issued deportation orders that same day for failing to appear in court.

Immigration attorneys say these situations highlight the difficulties many asylum seekers face while trying to navigate an increasingly accelerated legal system.

Immigration attorney Vera Weisz described the situation with concern.

«What we’re experiencing inside the courts is, in some ways, worse than what we’ve seen on the streets… but it’s happening in secret.»

Attorneys warn deportation orders are increasing for missed hearings without ensuring immigrants understand the process

Several immigration lawyers argue that the faster pace makes it more difficult for migrants to fully understand the status of their cases.

Many applicants are navigating complex legal proceedings while trying to understand filing requirements, hearing dates, and the documents they must submit to the court.

These challenges become even greater when language barriers exist or when individuals appear without legal representation.

Lindsay Toczylowski, president of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, believes the primary purpose of these hearings is not to improve access to justice.

«These types of hearings are not designed to help people find justice within our immigration system. Their purpose is to advance mass deportation plans.»

Immigrant advocacy organizations argue that packing dozens of cases into a single hearing increases the likelihood of mistakes, confusion, or unintentional absences that can ultimately have permanent consequences.

For immigrants facing removal proceedings, missing a hearing can result in a deportation order being issued without the judge fully considering the merits of their case.

Lack of legal representation worsens the situation for thousands of immigrants

Data compiled by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) show that a large share of people in immigration proceedings do not have legal representation.

According to the organization, nearly half of those facing deportation proceedings in California do not have an attorney representing them.

The absence of legal counsel is also common among those who ultimately receive removal orders.

TRAC reported that more than 70% of individuals who received deportation orders in May were navigating their cases without legal representation.

Experts say this reality significantly reduces many immigrants’ ability to understand their rights, request continuances when appropriate, or properly submit the documentation required by the court.

Advocacy organizations continue to emphasize that access to legal counsel remains one of the most important factors in ensuring immigrants can adequately defend their cases.

Government says speeding up cases is necessary

While attorneys and advocacy groups criticize the new system, federal officials have defended the strategy implemented in the immigration courts.

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) says accelerating proceedings is necessary to reduce the massive backlog that has built up over many years within the immigration court system.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also stated that individuals placed in removal proceedings have received the procedural protections required by law.

The official further defended the expedited process, arguing that it allows final deportation orders issued by the courts to be carried out more efficiently.

However, immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations continue to argue that administrative speed should not come at the expense of immigrants’ ability to understand their legal proceedings, attend their hearings, and properly present their requests for protection.

The debate continues as the Los Angeles immigration courts face an increasing workload while thousands of immigrants await decisions in an increasingly fast-paced system.

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SOURCE: La Opinión.