Following immigration judge firings, questions loom over massive court backlogs

In downtown Miami, Ester Echeverria described her journey from Cuba outside immigration court. According to Echevarria, “we arrived in a boat with 29 people and a six-month-old baby.” According to Echeverria, she and her spouse, Yudennis Cinta, arrived from Cuba a year ago. Echeverria said she was “very happy” when she left court after a judge granted her permission to remain in the US under the Cuban Adjustment Act. However, about four years after coming to the United States, her spouse has yet to receive his second court date, which is set for October 2027. According to immigration lawyers who spoke with NBC6, the appointment’s delay is not shocking.

Immigration lawyer Willy Allen stated, “I have people who came in last year and their first court appearance is in 2026.” He also mentioned that the backlog in immigration courts began during the Obama administration and that the issues have gotten worse, with the number of cases increasing during the Trump and Biden administrations. “We have more than 20 judges in Miami, and I believe the Orlando court has grown to almost 20 judges,” Allen stated. However, he and other lawyers concur that the number of people undergoing the immigration court process is outpacing the number of judges.

Researchers that monitor court data estimate that there are over 3.5 million cases outstanding in the country. The Trump administration fired over two dozen immigration judges, managers, and new hires in the last two days, according to a union representing judges. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis characterized the judges who were fired as “…likely open borders ‘judges’ who would inhibit deportations; replacing them with ‘judges’ who will swiftly enforce the law will benefit the mission.” However, the judges’ union said that firing judges “makes no sense.” As of December 2024, the state of Florida had more than half a million (567,226) pending cases, making it the state with the most cases in the nation.

“On the one hand, you have a president who ran on a platform of immigration and expelling citizens. IFPTE President Matt Biggs said, “It’s a brain-scratcher because he’s actually firing the judges who have to hear these cases and make those decisions.” Immigration lawyers back in South Florida are curious about the Trump administration’s next steps and how it intends to address the backlog in immigration courts. “Will they attempt to evade the legal system?” Allen ponders. “The House of Representatives, the Senate, and the President must all approve legislation before the asylum process can be abolished.” According to immigration attorneys we spoke with, just 20% of asylum cases are granted. It’s all about holding onto hope and hoping for the best for Ester and her husband Yudennis. We reached out to the Department of Justice’s immigration courts division and the White House. NBC6 has yet to hear back as of the publication of this report.