Immigration court cases are closing faster than ever: on October 29, 2026, the government reported that the courts completed nearly 974,000 of them in fiscal year 2026. At Campos Law Firm, we closely monitor developments in U.S. immigration policy to protect our clients’ rights and future. If you have an open case, this number may affect how soon your turn comes.
But a record number of closed cases does not tell you how many people won. Here is what we know, what we do not know yet, and what you can do.
What Did EOIR Announce?
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the Department of Justice, released its results for fiscal year 2026, which ran from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. According to the release:
- Immigration courts: nearly 974,000 cases completed, the highest total in the agency’s history.
- Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA): about 46,400 cases completed, its highest number in 20 years.
- Backlog: the pending caseload dropped by more than 678,000 cases since January 2025.
- Judges: more than 300 permanent immigration judges hired during the fiscal year, a record, plus an unspecified number of temporary judges.
EOIR Acting Director Sirce Owen said the agency is working to “restore integrity, impartiality, and efficiency” to immigration adjudications. As we explained when covering the swearing-in of 22 new immigration judges, more judges do not, on their own, change the standard used to decide your case.
Does a “Completed Case” Mean Asylum Was Granted?
No. For EOIR, a completed case is one where the judge issued a decision that closes the proceeding, and that decision can look very different from one person to the next: a removal order (including orders issued in absentia), voluntary departure, a grant of asylum or other relief, or termination of the case. The release does not break down how many of those 974,000 decisions were favorable.
Other data call for caution. According to TRAC, the data center at Syracuse University, the asylum grant rate in immigration court fell to 5.5% in June 2026, the lowest it has ever recorded. And a case is not the same as a person: one individual may have more than one case record.
The backlog has not disappeared either. More than 3 million cases remain pending, according to EOIR and TRAC data, and the average wait reached 940 days in July 2026. At the BIA, the trend runs the other way: pending appeals rose to 325,774, up 61% from the prior year, because 169,538 new appeals came in, according to EOIR statistics cited by CiberCuba.
What Changes for Pending Immigration Court Cases?
With more judges and more pressure to close cases, some courts are advancing, rescheduling, or reassigning hearings. The biggest risk is not the number itself but missing a notice: if you do not appear at your hearing, the judge can order you removed in absentia, even if you had a strong defense.
It also matters whether you have already received a decision. If a judge ruled against you, an appeal to the BIA is filed on Form EOIR-26 within 30 calendar days of the decision. With the appeals backlog, that process can take years, so it pays to prepare the appeal carefully from the start.
How to Avoid Missing Your Immigration Court Hearing
- Check your case often: use the EOIR ACIS portal (acis.eoir.justice.gov) or the automated line at 1-800-898-7180 with your Alien Registration Number (A-Number). Do it weekly, not only when you are expecting a letter.
- Update your address with the court: if you move, file Form EOIR-33/IC within 5 business days, online or by mail, and send a copy to the government’s attorneys (ICE).
- Notify ICE separately: changing your address with the court does not update your information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); that requires a separate filing.
- Keep every notice: save envelopes and documents, and confirm in ACIS any date someone gives you over the phone.
- Get advice before missing a hearing: if an emergency keeps you from attending, talk to an attorney right away; do not assume the hearing will be rescheduled.
Protect Your Immigration Status with Campos Law Firm
A court that moves faster means your case has to be ready sooner: complete evidence, an up-to-date address, and every deadline met. We do not make unrealistic promises: we provide serious legal representation backed by preparation and integrity. Our team of immigration attorneys can review your court calendar, check your notices, and prepare your defense or your appeal.
Do not leave your immigration status to chance. Call us today at +1 (844) 922-6767 to schedule a free, confidential consultation in English or Spanish. Campos Law Firm: Legal Solutions in All Areas of Law.
With information from the Department of Justice / EOIR, WORLD, CiberCuba, TRAC via AZFamily, and Illinois Legal Aid Online.
