Texas Immigration Cases Face Major Backlog

A study from Syracuse University has found that more than 77,000 Texas immigration cases were still working their way through the legal system. The number of Texas immigration cases has increased by nearly 60 percent in just under two years. The only state with a higher immigration case backlog is California, with over 89,000 cases waiting to be heard. Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) is pushing to add more immigration judges to relieve the backlog.

Texas Immigration Cases By City

The study found that that Houston leads the state in the number of Texas immigration cases still pending. The Houston immigration court has more than 32,000 cases waiting to be heard, followed by San Antonio with more than 24,500. The Dallas court still has 7,700 cases pending a decision, while border town El Paso (6,500) and Harlingen (5,800) also have thousands of Texas immigration cases still unheard. These cases include victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking and political persecution in their home countries.

Texas Immigration Case Backlog Places Lives On Hold

The large backlog of Texas immigration cases, as well as in the rest of the country, has forced those who traveled to the U.S. to put their lives on hold. More than 450,000 immigration cases are backlogged across the federal court system. The backlog places these immigrants in a legal limbo: they can’t be deported while their cases are pending, but they can’t apply for jobs, housing or other benefits until their cases are resolved. Thousands of immigrants are still waiting to have their Texas immigration cases heard and move on with their lives.

Texas Immigration Cases Include Unaccompanied Minors

A large segment of the Texas immigration case backlog consists of minors who entered the country without their parents or guardians. The Syracuse study shows that 70,000 immigration cases nationwide involve unaccompanied minor children. The addition of new federal immigration judges is expected to relieve much of the Texas immigration case backlog. In most cases, the court will find members of the child’s extended family who are living legally in the U.S. to take custody of the child.

Cuellar Seeks More Texas Immigration Case Judges

A report from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review showed that 31 judges are currently hearing Texas immigration cases. Rep. Cuellar wants to add an additional 55 Texas immigration case judges. He told reporters that his request for additional funding has cleared the House Appropriations Committee. “We have it out of the House and now it’s over to the Senate side,” he said. “I would say that every court or processing center (in Texas)” will see more judges if the measure passes.

Source: Texas Tribune

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To find out how we can answer your questions about your Texas immigration case, contact one of our attorneys today. Our intake team will take down the details of your case, connect you to an attorney who understands Texas immigration cases, and explain how one can affect your immigration status. You can also fill out the “Free Case Evaluation” form at the top of this page.