An expedited immigration court process implemented by the Trump administration aims to reduce the backlog of cases, accelerate mass deportations, and fulfill campaign promises.
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❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is using mass hearings to support mass deportation efforts with upwards of 100 immigrants scheduled in single sessions.
📺 DETAIL: Immigration courts under President Trump have adopted “mega master” hearings to expedite deportation cases. Suspected illegal migrants will now face immediate removal if they don’t respond in court or miss a hearing. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also instructed immigration judges, including roughly 600 temporary military lawyers, to deny bond, dismiss cases, and enact removals as swiftly as possible. According to the Department of War, the use of military lawyers aims to “augment existing resources to help further combat a backlog of cases by presiding over immigration hearings.” Since last year, more than 100 immigration judges have been fired, while others have retired or resigned, with more than 150 new judges hired. The “mega master” sessions are conducted by the Executive Office for Immigration Review at the direction of the Attorney General.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The Trump administration is committed to reestablishing an immigration judge corps that is dedicated to restoring the rule to the law in our nation’s immigration system.” – Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement last week.
🎯 IMPACT: The policy has been implemented in response to reports that over three million active cases are awaiting verdicts. According to Congress, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deport approximately one million people between 2026 and 2027. The agency will also hold at least 99,000 people in detention centers. This decision follows growing pressure from within the Trump coalition to expedite mass deportations. Back in April, the Mass Deportation Coalition pushed President Trump to go further on mass deportations.
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