Miami’s immigration court is experiencing severe operational challenges following the introduction of “mega master” calendar hearings, a policy initiative aimed at processing cases more rapidly. The new approach represents a significant departure from previous scheduling practices, with judges now handling dockets exceeding 100 cases per day compared to approximately three dozen under the former system.
The policy has generated substantial disruptions to court operations. Long lines of hundreds of people waiting for hearings have become commonplace outside the facility, and immigration court observers report widespread logistical problems. Individuals frequently arrive late to their scheduled hearings after waiting in line for extended periods, creating operational inefficiencies. Legal representatives struggle to provide adequate representation when multiple cases are consolidated into single dockets with compressed timelines.
Data indicates a marked increase in in-absentia deportation orders since implementation of the new scheduling approach. Nationally, more than 54,000 immigrants were ordered deported for missing court hearings in July, representing a 60 percent increase over preceding months. In Miami specifically, in-absentia orders rose to 2,886 in July from 1,383 in May, marking a 108 percent increase. Legal experts argue these elevated no-show rates result directly from the consolidation of large numbers of cases with insufficient notice and limited access to counsel.
Administration officials contend the accelerated calendar is necessary to address a substantial backlog in the immigration court system. The Trump administration has simultaneously increased immigration arrests to record monthly levels and advanced court dates previously scheduled for 2027. Critics characterize the approach as fundamentally unfair, describing it as an effective but problematic tactic that disadvantages immigrants seeking legal representation while generating case dismissals at higher rates than previous procedures.
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