Immigrants Summoned to Unannounced Courtrooms in the Washington Area

In recent weeks, immigrants scheduled for hearings at the Hyattsville and Baltimore immigration courts in Maryland and the Sterling court in Virginia have been reassigned to two unfamiliar sites: a federal building in Washington, D.C., and a government office in Falls Church, Virginia. Neither site houses a standing immigration courtroom, and the D.C. venue is listed as occupied by FEMA rather than the Justice Department. Notices of the changes were often delivered only days before the new dates, and in at least two instances no mailed notice was provided.

NPR

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) operates roughly 60 immigration courts and is expanding its roster of judges to address a backlog of about 3.5 million cases. Critics argue the venue changes are part of a strategy to accelerate removals, especially for respondents without legal representation.

NPR

• Mobile Pathways reports that in-absentia removal orders for unrepresented respondents in Baltimore rose from 54 % in January to 73 % in June.

NPR

• The legal-tech platform bklg notes a record-high spike in in-absentia orders after the rollout of “mega master calendar” hearings, where over 100 immigrants appear at once.

NPR

• Asylum approvals in immigration courts have concurrently fallen to a historic low, according to the same platform.

NPR

The agency declined to comment on why the specific D.C. and Falls Church sites were used or whether they are designated as permanent courtrooms. The General Services Administration, which manages federal facilities, did not respond to requests for comment about the use of the D.C. building.

NPR

An immigrant who tracks case dates through the MigraConnect app said the app flagged a hearing moved from a December date in Virginia’s Sterling court to an early-September date in Falls Church with only a two-week notice. The individual reported never receiving a mailed notice and expressed fear of an in-absentia removal order. A separate client of Justiniano, residing in Maryland, learned of a relocation to Falls Church only after calling the court; the court explained the new center had opened in late August.

NPR

• The General Services Administration has not confirmed whether the D.C. building is being leased for immigration hearings, leaving the legal basis for its use unclear.

NPR

• Sources familiar with the project indicate a GSA request for lease proposals covering 18 potential locations, yet no such leases have been publicly disclosed.

NPR

• “People need to receive at least ten days' notice in order for there to be a response,” — Kel White

NPR

• “I honestly thought it was a glitch. I was like, there's no way,” — James Reyes

NPR

EOIR has indicated that additional hearing locations may be opened by September 9, when the Federal Center Plaza at 400 C St SW is slated to begin holding hearings, though the building currently lacks a DOJ courtroom. No further details on permanent venue assignments have been released.

NPR