Government Shutdown Results in the Cancellation of Nearly 43,000 Immigration Hearings

Nearly 43,000 immigration hearings have been canceled as the partial government shutdown trudges into its 25th day.

According to a report by researchers tracking immigration data, the canceled hearings will continue to climb by 20,000 each week that the shutdown persists. Should the shutdown last until the end of January, over 100,000 individuals could have their hearings postponed. Many of the individuals impacted have waited two, three and even four years for their day in court. Those affected by the cancellations may now have to wait until late 2021 or even 2022, encumbering what is already a considerably backlogged system.

According to the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, hearings for detained immigrants are proceeding as scheduled throughout the shutdown.