Chicago’s immigration court experienced a 120 percent jump in removal orders during March through June 2026, four times the national increase. So-called “mega master” hearings—large blocks of proceedings scheduled on unusually short notice—have been deployed to produce in absentia removal orders at scale. For the first time since 2019, more respondents missed court than appeared in June, with 58% of 10,370 people assigned to hearings ruled absent.
What changed
Notice to appear has plummeted nationwide, but particularly in Chicago—median lead time in June fell to just 34 days, down from 229 days in May. These mega master hearings began in May 2026 and accelerated in June, appearing to be scheduled on unusually short notice seemingly deployed by the government to produce in absentia removal orders at scale.
In certain immigration courts, issuing absentia orders became a primary function—Hartford saw almost 90% of cases result in absentia orders, with similarly high shares in San Antonio (88.3%), Chicago (78.5%), and Dallas (77.1%).
During the March through June 2026 period, removal orders accounted for a larger proportion of all case closures, rising from 70% to 78%, and in June, less than two percent of individuals in closed cases were granted relief.
Why it matters
For practitioners with clients in Chicago or courts experiencing similar mega-hearing schedules, three immediate impacts reshape your case strategy:
Notice and Preparation. Advocates say key purposes of mega hearings include discouraging immigrants from coming to court, smoothing the way toward deportation, and curtailing time to find an affordable attorney. A 34-day notice window means you have minimal time to locate clients (especially non-detained respondents), gather documentation, and prepare a coherent defense.
Absentia Risk. When people miss court, judges can order them removed in absentia or in their absence; in June, for the first time since 2019, more people were found to have missed court in Chicago than showed up. Aggressive outreach and client management become critical to prevent default removals.
Appellate Landscape. Over two-thirds of individuals in cases that closed were not present at the court hearing where they were ordered removed. If your client misses a mega hearing and receives an in absentia order, you face a narrower appellate window and may need to pursue reopening motions rather than traditional appeals.
Way forward
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Monitor your Chicago docket immediately. Check EOIR’s case tracking system for any pending hearings; if a hearing date falls fewer than 90 days from today, treat it with priority-alert status. Confirm receipt of notice and respondent’s understanding of the date and time in writing.
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Secure client contact information and prepare for short turnarounds. Lock in a phone number, email, and physical address for every client. Brief them on the specific courtroom location, arrival time (typically 2–3 hours before hearing), and the consequences of non-appearance. Consider in-person meetings for non-detained clients.
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Document the mega-hearing environment. If you appear in Chicago court, note the number of cases on the docket, courtroom capacity, interpreter availability, and time allocated per case. This record may prove relevant for ineffective assistance of counsel or due-process challenges in appeals or motions to reopen.
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Prepare for absentia orders. Have a template motion to reopen and motion to reconsider ready for clients who miss hearings. Collect affidavits explaining non-appearance (illness, childcare, transportation, communication failure) immediately after the missed hearing, while evidence is fresh.
Disclaimer
This article is a plain-English summary of publicly available data and news reports and is not legal advice. It is produced by Fola Editorial, a software company that tracks immigration policy, not by a law firm. You should consult a licensed immigration attorney licensed to practice in your state before making any filing decisions or strategic moves in your own case or practice. Immigration policy and court operations can change without notice; verify all information against the primary source and the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s case tracking system before relying on it for case decisions.