Immigration courts are moving faster as deportation orders rise
EOIR data show a shrinking immigration-court backlog alongside rising removal and in-absentia orders as hearings accelerate and preparation time narrows.
Asylum
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Federal immigration notices set Aug. 31 deadline on asylum, work-permit and Form I-94 changes
The Justice Department has listed 2026 immigration notices covering asylum fees, Form I-94 charges, work-authorization validity periods and other filing rules.
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DHS allows some affirmative asylum cases to go to immigration court without an interview
An interim final rule effective July 28 allows USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to immigration court without first conducting an asylum interview.
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Federal judge blocks administration from stripping work permits from tens of thousands of immigrants
A Massachusetts federal judge temporarily blocked immigration restrictions that could have removed work authorization from affected asylum seekers and Temporary Protected Status holders.
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DHS begins sending some asylum cases to immigration court without interviews
A new interim final rule allows USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications to immigration court without first conducting an interview, while preserving interviews before asylum is granted or denied.
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BIA ruling puts focus on $102 annual asylum fee deadlines
The FY 2026 asylum fee is $102. A July 24 BIA ruling says missed deadlines can end an asylum claim while leaving withholding and CAT claims for review.
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Immigration courts are issuing more in-absentia removal orders
Immigration courts are clearing cases faster, but missed hearings and in-absentia removal orders are rising, putting asylum claims and due process at issue.
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Immigration court backlog falls as mega hearings drive more no-shows
EOIR says the immigration-court backlog is falling, but larger hearing blocks, shorter notice and rising no-shows are increasing in-absentia removal orders.
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Federal judge keeps USCIS asylum-processing policies vacated in Rhode Island case
A federal judge denied the government’s July 15 stay request, leaving four USCIS processing policies vacated while an appeal proceeds. The ruling does not automatically approve individual cases or guarantee immediate decisions.
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EU Return-Hub Plan Leaves Rights Safeguards Unsettled
World Refugees and Migration — The EU agreed on return-hub rules, but formal adoption, host-country deals and rights safeguards remain unsettled.
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Judge Temporarily Pauses USCIS Work-Permit Restrictions for Asylum Seekers and TPS Holders
A Massachusetts federal judge temporarily paused four USCIS actions affecting some asylum seekers and TPS holders, while leaving the $100 annual fee in place.
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EU migration pact takes effect as return-rule deal adds pressure on asylum systems
The EU’s migration and asylum pact entered into application on June 12, but rollout is uneven and a separate returns deal remains provisional.
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EU migration pact takes effect, tightening screening and returns
The bloc’s new asylum rules began on June 12, starting uniform screening, faster returns, and a solidarity mechanism for pressured states.
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EU migration pact takes effect, tightening asylum rules across 27 states
The EU’s migration pact took effect June 12, adding bloc-wide screening, faster asylum and return procedures, and a new solidarity system.