Immigration Court Proceedings: Process and Data

Summary

Immigration Court Proceedings: Process and Data

Non-U.S. nationals ("aliens" under law) may be removed from the United States for immigration violations. While an expedited removal process is often applied to aliens encountered at the border, those apprehended in the interior are usually placed in formal proceedings before an immigration judge (IJ) in the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Aliens in these proceedings have the right to counsel at their own expense; to seek asylum or other relief from removal; to present testimony and evidence; to appeal an adverse decision to EOIR's Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA); and, in many cases, to seek judicial review of a final order of removal.

How It Begins

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) begins removal proceedings by filing with

the immigration court a Notice to Appear (NTA), a charging document against the alien. During removal proceedings, some respondents are detained by DHS. IJs may review custody determinations of detained respondents upon their request during bond proceedings.

Notice to Appear

Bond Proceedings

If detained, the alien may request that an IJ review the custody determination, unless the alien belongs to a class subject to detention without bond under federal law. Either party may appeal to the BIA.

Master Calendar and Merits Hearings

A "Master Calendar" hearing is first held to address the charges of removability and any claims of relief from removal. Aliens who are not detained and have counsel may file written responses in lieu of the Master Calendar hearing. A merits hearing is scheduled to consider contested issues and applications for relief.

IJ's Decision and Appeal

The IJ adjudicates the alien's application for relief as well as any contested removability issues. The IJ may end the proceedings, e.g., if DHS fails to sustain the charges. The IJ's decision is administratively final unless the IJ grants a motion to reopen or reconsider (MTR) or the decision is appealed to the BIA.

BIA Decision

The BIA may either summarily dismiss an appeal or issue a merits decision. If the BIA affirms an IJ's order of removal, it becomes a final order. The BIA may reopen or reconsider a case either upon a party's motion or sua sponte (on its own).

In Absentia Order of Removal

Failure of an alien to appear at a hearing will result in the IJ issuing an in absentia order of removal if DHS establishes removability.

Voluntary Departure (VD)

Eligible aliens may request to voluntarily depart the United States (at their own expense) as an alternative to removal.

Attorney General (AG) Certification

Occasionally the Attorney General may review a BIA removal decision and issue a superseding opinion.

Judicial Review

An alien may seek judicial review of a removal order that is deemed administratively final. Review may be unavailable for certain individuals (e.g., those who committed certain crimes) and for those seeking to challenge denials of discretionary forms of relief. Notwithstanding these limitations, courts may review constitutional claims and questions of law.

Bond Proceeding

Bond Hearing

Custody Decision

Appeal

BIA Decision

Formal Removal Proceedings

Master Calendar Hearings

Merits Hearing

IJ's Decision

Judicial Review

Petition for Review

Court Issues Decision

Alien not subject to removal/New Hearing

AG Certification

VD

Failure to Appear In absentia

Alien is subject to removal

Initial IJ Case Decisions FY2024

New and Pending Cases FY2008 - FY2024

Total In Absentia Removal Orders FY2008 - FY2024

All Appeals Cases with BIA FY2008 - FY2024

Information as of May 2, 2025. Prepared by Hillel Smith, Legislative Attorney; Holly Straut-Eppsteiner, Analyst in Immigration Policy; and Brion Long, Visual Information Specialist. For more information see CRS In Focus 11536, Formal Removal Proceedings: An Introduction, by

Hillel Smith, and Insight 12492 FY2024 EOIR Immigration Court Data: Caseloads and the Pending Cases Backlog, by Holly Straut-Eppsteiner.

Source: EOIR Adjudication Statistics, October 2024; https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45915; https://www.crs.gov/Reports/IF11343.