Record Number of Migrants Fail To Appear for Court Dates, Justice Department Says

Immigration judges are facing a daunting backlog of cases, especially since crossings have surged in recent years.

AP/John Minchillo
Pedestrians pass migrants waiting in a queue outside of the Roosevelt Hotel, which is being used by New York City as temporary housing. AP/John Minchillo
SUN STAFF
SUN STAFF

The number of migrants who have been ordered to leave the country surged to new highs last year, and more than 150,000 of them awaiting asylum court hearings failed to appear before immigration judges. 

If migrants fail to appear for their hearing, immigration judges — who have been overwhelmed with cases in recent years — then the jurist can issue what is known as an “in absentia removal order,” which is supposed to lead to the migrant’s deportation. 

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