There is strength in numbers, but immigration courts are using numbers to streamline their deportation mandate through disjointed groupings, or to be more precise, mass immigration hearings.
In recent months, immigration lawyers, civil rights organizations, and the media have begun to warn about this new practice that is transforming the legal process in some immigration courts in the United States.
At first glance, they might seem like a way to expedite an overwhelmed judicial system. However, for many experts, they represent a significant challenge to due process, especially for immigrants who appear without legal representation.
What Are Mass Hearings?
Mass hearings, mega hearings or express hearings, are expedited preliminary hearings with more than one defendant, preferably a large group. In these hearings, the judge verifies basic procedural aspects, confirms the immigrant’s identity, explains their rights, and sets the next steps in the case.
There are precedents in the U.S. legal system for large-scale hearings, such as those tried under the RICO Act (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations).
What is new about current mass immigration hearings is their scale and speed.
According to data from immigration legal data aggregator BKLG, courts in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and others have begun scheduling more than 100 cases in a single day, whereas previously it was common to handle between 10 and 40 cases.
Between January 2025 and June 2026, dozens of these “mega hearings” were documented, with a significant increase during June 2026.
During these sessions, a single judge had to review 100, 150, and even 180 cases in a matter of hours, in short sessions with groups of 12 to 15 defendants.
Noticias Univision reports that each individual case receives an average of two minutes of attention in these hearings.
Why Are Mass Immigration Hearings Being Implemented?
Immigration courts have faced a massive backlog of cases for years.
At the same time, federal immigration policy, under pressure from the current administration, has sought to expedite case resolution and increase the pace of deportations.
Concentrating a much larger number of people in a single preliminary hearing allows them to move cases more quickly.
Although the stated goal is to improve administrative efficiency, numerous lawyers’ organizations and immigrant advocates have expressed concern about the impact this practice may have on each person’s right to due process and to adequately prepare their defense.
How Might This Affect Your Case?
It’s important to clarify that a mass hearing does not automatically mean a person will be deported.
However, it can increase the risks for those who arrive unprepared or without legal counsel.
Lisa Koop, of the National Immigration Justice Center, states that these mass hearings target immigrants without legal representation. “The intent is to intimidate and coerce people to give up their rights,” Koop stated.
A defendant in an expedited hearing faces the following challenges:
- Less time to resolve doubts directly with the judge.
- Greater difficulty understanding complex instructions if there is a language barrier.
- Fewer opportunities to correct administrative errors during the hearing.
- Increased pressure to meet very tight deadlines.
When the volume of cases increases, every mistake can have significant consequences.
Failure to Attend Can Have Very Serious Consequences
One of the aspects that most concerns specialists is the increase in deportation orders issued in absentia.
Media outlets such as Argentina’s La Nación point out that the increase in mega-hearings has coincided with a rise in deportation orders against people who did not attend their court date. It has also been reported that some immigrants claim they did not receive timely notification by mail and only discovered the date by checking the court’s electronic system.
That’s why it’s crucial to:
- Keep your address updated with the court and USCIS when applicable.
- Regularly check the status of your case.
- Not assume you’ll receive all notifications only by mail.
If You Lack Legal Status, the Risk Increases
For those who remain in the United States without valid immigration status and are already in court proceedings, these hearings represent a particularly critical moment.
The court can move quickly through the proceedings, and if the person fails to appear or doesn’t adequately present their defense, the case could be resolved unfavorably.
Having Legal Representation Makes All the Difference
U.S. law allows individuals to represent themselves in immigration court. However, doing so involves understanding procedures, deadlines, and requirements that can be complex.
Immigration authorities rely on few defendants arriving at their hearings well-prepared, which will expedite their trial and deportation.
An experienced attorney like those at Aguado Immigration Firm can help you:
- Explain what will happen at each hearing.
- Prepare the necessary documentation.
- Request additional time when permitted by law.
- File applications for immigration relief applicable to your case.
- Avoid procedural errors that could negatively impact your case.
Even if your attorney is required to represent you by phone or video call in a large hearing, their participation increases the likelihood that your legal rights will be respected.
In an environment where a judge can review hundreds of cases in a single day, being prepared can make a significant difference.
Prepare Today to Protect Your Future
Mass hearings reflect the fact that the U.S. immigration system is evolving to process a greater number of cases in less time. This reality makes it even more important for immigrants to know their rights, keep their information up to date, and seek legal counsel before appearing in court.
The team at Aguado Immigration Firm understands that every case deserves individual attention, even when the system attempts to process hundreds of cases in a single day. The firm works to evaluate each situation, prepare a solid legal strategy, and support its clients throughout the entire immigration process.
If you have a pending hearing or want to learn about the options available for your case, seeking legal guidance as soon as possible can help you face the process with greater confidence and avoid mistakes that could have permanent consequences.
