The significant increase in the pace of deportations in the United States, as revealed by the recent report of the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, raises serious concerns about access to justice and the rights of immigrants. The study points out that in the first six months of fiscal year 2024, there was a 50% increase in deportation orders compared to the highest point during the Trump administration in 2019. This increase coincides with the expansion of the number of immigration judges under the current administration.

“The largest amount of deportation orders were issued to immigrants residing in New York City, with just under 11,000. Texas’ Harris County and Los Angeles followed suit with over 8,000 and almost 6,000, respectively”, according to The Latin Times.

The numbers show that New York leads in terms of deportations, followed by areas such as Harris County, Texas, and Los Angeles. However, the report also highlights an alarming trend: despite the rise in deportations, legal representation for immigrants is declining. Only 15% of immigrants ordered to be removed were able to obtain legal representation during fiscal year 2024, compared to 30% representation among those who are behind in court. This disparity suggests that immigrants without legal representation are much more likely to be deported.

In addition, the study reveals that court cases related to asylum seekers are taking longer and longer to conclude, averaging more than two and a half years. This delay is especially troubling when you consider that cases that end in removal orders are faster than those in which asylum is granted.

The situation is further complex with the possible changes to asylum policies proposed by the Biden administration. According to reports, a new rule could allow immigration authorities to quickly reject asylum seekers, potentially within days or even hours, especially those deemed national security risks. Although these measures have been in the works for months, they have not yet been officially announced, notes The Latin Times.

In summary, the increase in deportations in the United States raises urgent questions about justice, access to legal representation, and the rights of immigrants, especially in a context where asylum-related judicial proceedings are already facing considerable delays. Potential changes to asylum policies also add an additional layer of uncertainty and concern for the immigrant community and human rights advocates.