Immigration Courts See More Missing Faces: What's Going On?

In immigration courts across the U. S. , there's a growing trend: more people are not showing up for their hearings. This might seem like a small thing, but it has big consequences. When someone doesn't appear in court, the judge can order their deportation right away. This is called an "in absentia" removal. Why are more people skipping court? One big reason is fear. Some immigrants worry that if they go to court, they might be arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) right there on the spot. This fear spread after ICE started making more arrests in and around courthouses. Another reason is that people might not even know about their court date. Sometimes, the notices get lost in the mail or sent to the wrong address.The numbers tell a clear story. In 2025, the number of "in absentia" removal orders nearly tripled compared to the previous year. That's over 50, 000 people who were ordered deported because they didn't show up to court. And this trend is happening in cities all over the country. But it's not just about fear or missed notices. Some immigrants might choose not to go to court because they think they won't win their case anyway. Others might be dealing with trauma, language barriers, or just trying to figure out the complicated immigration system. It's important to note that most immigrants do show up for their court dates. But for those who don't, the consequences can be severe. Once a removal order is issued, ICE can target that person for deportation. And without a lawyer, it's even harder to fight these orders.