The San Diego Immigration Court has joined courts across the U.S. in holding “mega” master hearings, increasing the number of cases heard per judge per day. The immigration court is rescheduling cases that already have pending hearing dates, moving those dates to the near future. In the first such hearing on Friday, more than 80 cases were scheduled before a single judge, and 50 people were ordered removed after missing the mass hearing.
What changed
The San Diego Immigration Court on Friday increased the number of cases heard per judge per day, joining cities across the U.S. that are holding what many are calling “mega” master hearings. Master hearings—the initial procedural step in removal proceedings—are now packed with 80–100+ cases per session instead of the traditional 10–15 per master calendar. The immigration court reschedules cases that already have pending hearing dates, moving those dates to the near future.
Cases pulled into these mega hearings include people whose original hearings were scheduled for 2027, 2028 or 2029. People are having their court dates rescheduled on short notice, and missing court is grounds for deportation—courts are taking people who had hearings scheduled a year or two from now and changing the date.
In practice, even though only a fraction of people scheduled had arrived for hearings, the courtroom was packed, and guards told family members and legal observers they could not attend.
Why it matters
The mega master format directly threatens due process and increases deportation risk for unrepresented clients. The major concern is that since this will be a group of people without attorneys who may not have gotten proper notice, courts often lack enough seats for hearings with so many people at once, making it appear the hearings are designed to increase how many people get deportation orders automatically. Of the 80+ cases scheduled, only about two dozen people made it to court and had their cases heard in the morning; the judge waited until afternoon to decide the cases of those absent.
In some cases, little to no notice is being issued by the government by mail or electronically to immigrants or their lawyers, meaning those not regularly checking their online accounts could miss any changes. For clients with cases originally scheduled in 2027–2029, the abrupt acceleration—sometimes with minimal advance notice—makes compliance difficult, especially for unrepresented or low-income individuals.
The appellate and advisory bar should be aware: Reducing the immigration court backlog remains one of the highest priorities for this administration, and these hearings are part of a nationwide strategy to accelerate docket clearance.
Way forward
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Monitor your client’s account daily. Notice may be issued electronically and not by mail. Check myUSCIS and the EOIR online system frequently for any date changes, even if a hearing is scheduled far in the future.
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Expect short notice. If your client’s hearing was originally scheduled for 2027 or later, be prepared for a potential reschedule with little warning. Keep your client’s contact information current and establish a clear communication protocol (email, text, phone).
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Attend in person. The cost of missing a mega master hearing is an in absentia removal order. If your client cannot attend on short notice, consider filing a motion for continuance or requesting telephonic appearance before the hearing date.
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Advocate for individual hearings where possible. Document the client’s circumstances (limited English, disability, transportation barriers) in writing and request that the court accommodate the client separately or allow additional time, citing due process concerns about the mega master format.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Articles.folaform.com is a software company, not a law firm. You should consult a licensed immigration attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation. Verify this information against the primary source linked above, as immigration policy and procedures can change without notice.