As of April 2024, TRAC at Syracuse University reveals that the immigration court system is experiencing unprecedented levels, with nearly 1.3 million immigrants filing asylum applications amidst a total backlog of 3.6 million cases.

This year has seen a significant influx of over 1.3 million new cases, challenging immigration judges who have managed to complete 517,675 cases so far. Despite the judges’ efforts to pace with the growing backlog, they are set to complete a record number of cases by year-end.

However, only 35.7% of cases result in removal or voluntary departure orders, and notably, just 13.9% of those ordered deported in April, including unaccompanied children, had legal representation. This data underscores the critical issues facing the immigration court system and the urgent need for legal support for immigrants. 

See TRAC’s announcement with updated immigration court data here: https://trac.syr.edu/whatsnew/email.240510.html.
  • Immigration Courts recorded receiving 1,305,443 new cases so far in FY 2024 as of April 2024. This compares with 517,675 cases that the court completed during this period.
  • According to court records, only 0.38% of FY 2024 new cases sought deportation orders based on any alleged criminal activity of the immigrant, apart from possible illegal entry.
  • At the end of April 2024, 3,596,317 active cases were pending before the Immigration Court.
  • At the end of April 2024, out of the total backlog of 3,596,317 cases, 1,278,654 immigrants have already filed formal asylum applications and are now waiting for asylum hearings or decisions in Immigration Court.
  • Miami-Dade County, FL, has the most residents with pending Immigration Court deportation cases (as of the end of April 2024).
  • So far this fiscal year (through April 2024), immigration judges have issued removal and voluntary departure orders in 35.7% of completed cases, totaling 170,165 deportation orders.
  • Among Immigration Court cases completed in April 2024, immigrants in Colorado had the highest proportion ordered removed. Vermont residents had the lowest proportion ordered removed.
  • So far in FY 2024 (through April 2024), immigrants from Honduras top list of nationalities with largest number ordered deported.
  • Only 13.9% of immigrants, including unaccompanied children, had an attorney to assist them in Immigration Court cases when a removal order was issued in April 2024.
  • Immigration judges have held 15,548 bond hearings so far in FY 2024 (through April 2024). Of these 4,644 were granted bond.