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.
Immigration
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AP: At least 51 military family members detained under Trump
An AP review found at least 51 spouses and parents of active-duty service members detained since January 2025, with deportations and custody continuing.
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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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New Public-Charge Rule Broadens Immigration Officers’ Discretion
A DHS rule taking effect September 18 broadens public-charge reviews, raising uncertainty for immigrant and mixed-status families that use benefits.
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26 states challenge DHS, FEMA grant conditions tied to elections
Twenty-six states are challenging DHS and FEMA conditions that could link emergency and counterterrorism grants to election practices and immigration cooperation.
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Federal legal-services contract for migrant children expires
A federal contract serving about 20,000 unaccompanied children expired July 31, leaving providers uncertain about funding and continued immigration-court representation.
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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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Judge lets DHS border-wall project near Presidio proceed for now
A federal judge denied a request to halt DHS border-wall work near Presidio, Texas, while a lawsuit over levee safety and federal authority continues.
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Columbus City Council Sets Aug. 10 Hearing on Flock Audit and Data Sharing
A Columbus City Council hearing will examine CPD’s Flock license-plate-reader audit, possible immigration-related searches and restrictions on outside-agency access.
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Federal indictment accuses 11 in Texas rail-container deaths
A federal indictment accuses 11 people of using freight trains to smuggle seven migrants through Texas, where prosecutors say all seven died.
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Illinois Medicaid changes for many noncitizens are approaching. Notices will arrive in August
Illinois will send personalized Medicaid notices in August before coverage ends Sept. 30 for some noncitizens under new federal eligibility rules.
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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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U.S. population growth slows as net migration falls sharply
Census estimates show the U.S. population reached 341.8 million in 2025, while a historic drop in net international migration cut annual growth to 0.5%.
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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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U.S. Visa Services Shift From 25 African Posts to Regional Hubs
Routine U.S. visa processing moved from 25 African posts to regional hubs on August 1, adding travel and planning requirements for many applicants.
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July 8 order pauses Surprise ICE facility conversion pending environmental review
A federal court order bars detention operations and physical conversion work at the proposed Surprise ICE facility while environmental review proceeds.
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Chula Vista Posted Its First Safe Neighbor Report, but the Exact Posting Date Is Unclear
Chula Vista has posted its first Safe Neighbor transparency report covering calendar year 2025, with separate disclosures required for police responses involving outside law-enforcement personnel.
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New Mexico ethics commission sues Corrections secretary over alleged ICE referrals
The State Ethics Commission is asking a judge to halt alleged disclosures of probationers’ sensitive information to ICE, including referrals Source New Mexico reported after New Mexico’s 2025 nondisclosure law took effect.
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Tennessee Immigration Law Faces New Federal Challenge After Taking Effect
Tennessee’s new immigration offense is in effect while a renewed federal lawsuit seeks to block enforcement and represent potentially affected noncitizens.
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What the TPS ruling means for Haitian residents in Charleroi
The Supreme Court cleared a legal obstacle to ending Haiti TPS, but Charleroi residents still face different timelines involving status, work and cases.
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Trump Administration Misses Birthright Citizenship Rehearing Deadline
The Trump administration did not file by July 28 to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its birthright-citizenship ruling, leaving the order blocked.
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Frisco’s mosque and temple debate tests belonging and civic trust
Frisco’s debate over a second mosque, Hindu temple and Jain temple remains active after a May council fight over zoning, belonging and civic trust.