Frequently asked questions

How many cases are pending in US immigration courts?

As of September 30, 2026, 3,025,539 cases are pending in the immigration courts.

Is the immigration court backlog growing?

In the latest month, 75,753 new cases came in and 127,434 were decided. When decisions outnumber new cases, the backlog shrinks; the monthly chart is on this page.

How long does it take to get a decision in immigration court?

Cases decided in the latest month took 31 mo. from start to decision (median). Cases now in the backlog have already been waiting 35 mo.

Immigration court backlog and wait times

US immigration courts had 3,025,539 pending cases as of September 30, 2026. Here: median wait, new cases and decisions by month, backlog by state and court.

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