The U.S. immigration court system is facing a crisis in 2024, with a massive backlog of cases impacting millions of people. To understand the current landscape, we'll delve into data from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
Which courts are struggling under the heaviest workload in 2024?, Who are the most represented nationalities in the backlog? In this blog post we'll take a deep dive into the specific situation unfolding in Florida's courts.
By uncovering crucial facts, we'll shed light on this complex issue. Stay tuned for the details!
What are Pending Cases in Immigration Court?
In simple terms, a pending case is an immigration court proceeding that hasn't reached a final decision yet. These cases typically begin when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) files a Notice of Appearance (NTA) against a non-citizen. This NTA initiates removal proceedings, aiming to secure a deportation order.
U.S. Immigration Court Backlog Soars in 2024
The U.S. immigration court system is grappling with a staggering backlog in 2024. According to data from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), there are a whopping 3.36 million cases currently pending. This represents a significant increase of 20.3% compared to the already high backlog at the end of fiscal year 2023 (2.79 million cases).
Immigration Charges:
- Number of Pending Cases: 3,339,820 (vast majority)
- Description: These encompass various reasons for potential removal proceedings, including:
- Entering or remaining in the U.S. without authorization (illegal entry/stay)
- Overstaying or violating the terms of a visa (visa violations)
- Losing permanent residency or violating its conditions (immigration status violations)
Criminal/National Security/Terrorism Charges:
- Number of Pending Cases: 12,330
- Description: This category represents a much smaller portion of the backlog and includes cases related to:some text
- Criminal records or convictions
- National security concerns
- Alleged involvement in or connection to terrorism
Top Nationalities affected by the U.S. Immigration Backlog (2024):
- Venezuela: 463,720 (13.8% of total cases)
- Mexico: 415,563 (12.4% of total cases)
- Honduras: 355,115 (10.6% of total cases)
- Guatemala: 347,232 (10.3% of total cases)
- Colombia: 216,446 (6.4% of total cases)
- Cuba: 208,989 (6.2% of total cases)
Top 5 Immigration Courts with Pending Cases (2024):
- Miami: 283,793 pending cases
- New York (NY): 235,656 pending cases
- Chicago: 218,816 pending cases
- Orlando: 209,989 pending cases
- Dallas: 201,459 pending cases
Since Miami and Orlando lead the nation in pending cases, let's dive right into the statistics detailing Florida's immigration court backlog.
Florida Immigration Court Backlog in 2024
Immigration backlog can be attributed to the constant influx of migrants into the United States. From January 2021 to the end of Fiscal Year 2023, there were nearly 6 million illegal alien encounters at the southern border, and at least 3,095,577 had no confirmed departure from the United States. Additionally, In January 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded 124,220 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border.
As a result of the constant arrivals, the immigration court process has become overcrowded all over the country, but especially in those states like Florida, where Latin migration has historically been more accepted and welcomed.
The Florida immigration court system faces a substantial backlog, with 494,500 pending cases as of 2024 according to data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). This significant number places a strain on the judicial system and impacts thousands of individuals seeking an immigration resolution.
The top Nationalities Affected in Florida are:
- Cuba: 120,147 cases (24.3% of the total)
- Venezuela: 83,164 cases (16.8% of the total)
- Haiti: 73,025 cases (14.8% of the total)
Miami Immigration Court Backlog
The Miami immigration court faces the nation's most severe backlog, with a staggering 283,793 cases pending as of 2024. This number has steadily risen, as evidenced by the accompanying graph.
Historically a welcoming city for immigrants, Miami has recently experienced a surge in arrivals, particularly from Cuba and Haiti. This influx, coinciding with a flat number of immigration judges, has created a significant bottleneck in the system. According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), only 32 judges currently handle the overwhelming caseload in Miami.
The following nationalities make up the largest portions of the backlog:
- Cuba: 86,667 cases (30.54%)
- Haiti: 48,079 cases (16.94%)
- Venezuela: 34,886 cases (12.30%)
- Nicaragua: 24,557 cases (8.66%)
Orlando Immigration Court Backlog
The Orlando immigration court grapples with a significant backlog, currently facing a total of 209,989 pending cases in 2024. The following nationalities make up the largest portions of this backlog:
- Venezuela: 48,246 cases (23% of the total)
- Cuba: 33,373 cases (16% of the total)
- Haiti: 24,882 cases (12% of the total)
- Honduras: 21,999 cases (10% of the total)
Facing a Hearing? Inmigreat Can Help.
Navigating the wait for your immigration hearing can be stressful, therefore understanding the current challenges faced by immigration courts is crucial. Keep in mind that staying informed empowers you to make informed decisions about your case.
But you know you have an ally on Inmigreat! At Inmigreat, we're committed to supporting you throughout your immigration journey. We offer a variety of resources, including our innovative Legal Radar tool.
- Legal Radar: This feature in our Inmigreat Case Tracker App. provides peace of mind by tracking your hearings and sending timely notifications, keeping you constantly updated.
By following our resources, you can navigate your migration journey with greater confidence and clarity. So look no further and contact Inmigreat today!
