Mass deportations surge as courts rush through mega-master hearings

The latest month saw a record number of immigration arrests, driven largely by a shift in how U.S. immigration courts operate. Courts across the country have begun holding “mega-master” calendar hearings, sometimes scheduling 150 or more cases at once, far exceeding the usual 20-case panels. This acceleration has produced more than 100,000 case closures in June, with roughly 78% of completed cases ending in removal orders issued in absentia.

Immigrants often report not receiving notice of rescheduled hearings, and the short notice—sometimes as little as 15 days—has led to high rates of no-show orders. In Chicago, a single judge handled 185 cases in one session, while Kansas City saw a stark contrast between fast-track and longer-lead-time hearings. Legal representation remains scarce, with fewer than one-in-five detainees having counsel, making it difficult to overturn these orders. The surge in removal decisions has fed a broader increase in immigration arrests nationwide.