What is up with the controversial ‘mega’ immigration court hearings?

The current administration is the only one in more than a decade that has succeeded in reducing the country’s immigration court backlog. A Justice Department official recently told KPBS public broadcasting of San Diego that, “Reducing the immigration court backlog remains one of the highest priorities for this administration.”

The backlog rose every year from fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2024, when it reached a record high of 3,716,106 cases. The Trump administration reversed this uninterrupted increase in in fiscal 2025, when it reduced the backlog to 3,416, 921 cases. As of today, it has reduced the number of cases to 3,195,137.

The immigration court is still overwhelmed, of course, but the administration is finding additional ways to reduce the backlog. In May 2026, it increased the number of aliens at master calendar hearings from 20 to 30 aliens to up to 150. These hearings, referred to as “mega master calendar hearings,” have made it possible to issue a record number of in absentia removal orders — that is, in the alien’s absence — from 35,000 in May to 54,000 in June.

Master calendar hearings are not trials to determine deportability, asylum eligibility or eligibility for other forms of relief that require trials. Master calendar hearings are held for pleadings, scheduling merits hearings, advising aliens of their rights, explaining the charges in their Notice to Appear and other similar matters.

Notice of a master calendar hearing is sent to the address that the alien provided. Aliens in removal proceedings are required to provide the immigration court with their address and telephone number and to report any changes.........

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