By attorney: Cynthia Milian
The Center for Immigration Studies recently conducted a study on the number of cases pending before the Immigration Court, Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
The reports acknowledge that the number of cases pending have only increased. As of the date those statistics were released, there were 697,777 cases pending before the approximately 328 immigration judges in the immigration courts, or just less than 2,090 cases per judge.
The number of cases completed were up in 2017 to 169,150, as compared to 153,133 in 2016. Through the first two quarters of fiscal year 2018, the immigration courts had completed 92,009 cases; if this trend remains, the immigration courts will complete more than 184,000 cases this fiscal year.
Additionally, on August 16, 2018, the EOIR welcomed 23 new immigration judges, which increases the total number of immigration judges to 351. Since the end of January 2017, 82 immigration judges have been sworn in, and EOIR anticipates three additional hiring classes this fall that will total at least 75 more immigration judges. Here is more information about the new judges that were sworn in.
With the increase in judges, and the implementation of quotas by the Attorney General, we have seen hearings in court go a lot faster. Now more than ever, it is imperative to have an attorney represent you at your next court hearing.
You don’t want to miss your court hearing or an important deadline that could eventually cost you your entire case. Having an immigration attorney with you present will help you know where you stand in the process of immigration, they will help you defend your rights through every step of the way, assist you with the appeal process, if that becomes necessary, and give you the confidence you need to go before the Immigration Judge.
If you have a case pending before the Immigration court, and would like to know more about how we can assist you, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
To learn more about asylum law and immigration law, contact our asylum lawyers and immigration lawyers today.
