Florida Leads Nation in Pending Immigration Cases
A Growing Backlog
The Donald Trump administration recently fired more than a dozen immigration judges, actions that experts say contradict a need for more judges given the millions of cases pending in immigration courts across the country.
According to researchers at Syracuse University, Florida ranks No. 1 in the country when it comes to the backlog of immigration cases.
The Numbers
As of December 2024, the Sunshine State had 567,226 pending cases, followed by Texas with 490,004 cases and California with 405,230 cases.
Local Attorneys’ Perspective
Local immigration attorneys are used to the backlog and have seen the number of cases continually grow since the Barack Obama administration.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Immigration Attorney Eduardo Soto.
“The number of judges that we have can’t have enough hours of the day to deal with the population,” said Willy Allen, another immigration lawyer.
Oscar Casanella’s Story
Oscar Casanella, 46, is part of the group of half a million immigrants who have pending cases in Florida.
“I arrived on Jan. 6, 2022,” said Casanella, who was a cancer researcher and professor at the University of Havana.
Casanella fled Cuba and used Latin America to get to the U.S.-Mexico border with his pregnant wife and four-year-old son.
The Backlog’s Consequences
The massive backlog means people who deserve asylum protection wait years to receive it — while others who are not eligible are allowed to remain in the country longer.
“This all comes back to how the U.S. immigration system in general is extremely outdated, overwhelmed, and under-resourced,” said Kathleen Bush-Joseph, who works at the Migration Policy Institute, a non-partisan organization.
Why is the Backlog Growing?
In Florida, the problem keeps getting worse. Over a four-year period, Florida has seen roughly a 350% increase in pending cases going through immigration courts.
When asked what’s driving this increase, Soto said: “The amount of people that came into this country.”
“There are literally thousands of Venezuelans. If there were 300,000 Venezuelans with a TPS (Temporary Protective Status) that expires in September, those 300,000 Venezuelans, I’m willing to bet at least a third to two-thirds had asylum pending with the asylum office or already in court,” Allen said.
Nationwide, the Problem is Widespread
Nationwide, there are more than 3.7 million cases pending in immigration courts, according to court data tracked by researchers at Syracuse University.
“It’s hard to put it into perspective when you really think about it because essentially, it’s charging each immigration judge with 4,000 or 5,000 cases,” said James Fujimoto, who worked as an immigration judge for decades.
What’s Being Done to Address the Issue?
NBC6 contacted the White House and the Department of Justice, which oversees immigration courts, to ask about the extensive backlog, why those judges were fired, and if their positions will be replaced. They did not answer our questions yet.
NBC previously asked the administration if they will expand the use of strategies like “expedited removal” to keep people out of the backlogged courts.
In response, the White House said, “During his first term, (President Trump) cut red tape to reduce massive immigration backlogs, and he will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling his promise to restore order at our border, deport criminal aliens, and fully enforce long-ignored immigration laws.”
Conclusion
The massive backlog in immigration courts is a pressing issue that demands attention and action. As the numbers continue to grow, it’s essential to address the root causes of the problem and find solutions to alleviate the strain on the system.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of the immigration court backlog?
A: As of December 2024, Florida has the highest number of pending cases with 567,226, followed by Texas with 490,004 cases and California with 405,230 cases.
Q: What is driving the increase in pending cases?
A: The amount of people coming into the country, particularly from Venezuela, Cuba, and other countries, is contributing to the growth in pending cases.
Q: What is being done to address the issue?
A: The White House has not yet responded to our questions about the extensive backlog, the firing of judges, and plans to address the issue.
Q: What are the consequences of the backlog?
A: The backlog means that people who deserve asylum protection wait years to receive it, while others who are not eligible are allowed to remain in the country longer.
