The immigration court backlog has surpassed 3.5 million pending cases, a record high that is forcing asylum seekers to wait years for hearings. Budget constraints and a shortage of immigration judges are the primary factors driving the crisis.
Attorneys representing immigrants say the delays cause immense hardship, as applicants often cannot work or access services while their cases are pending. Some cases filed in 2023 are not expected to be heard until 2028 or later.
Bipartisan proposals to fund additional judgeships have stalled in Congress, leaving the backlog to grow with no clear resolution in sight.
