About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


1 1 (January 12, 2026)

handle is hein.crs/govetep0001 and id is 1 raw text is: FY2025 Immigration Court Data: Case Outcomes January 12, 2026 Immigration courts within the U.S. Department ofJustice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) adjudicate removal proceedings for foreign nationals (aliens) whom the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has charged with an immigration violation under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA.) Removal proceedings in immigration court are authorized under INA Section 240. Certain foreign nationals may be removed through other processes, such as expedited removal, a streamlined removal process that allows DHS to remove certain aliens without a hearing, including recently-arrived, inadmissible aliens. During removal proceedings, immigration judges (IJs) determine whether such individuals (respondents) are subject to removal from the United States; and if so, whether they qualify for relief or protection from removal for which they have applied (e.g., asylum and withholding of removal). Respondents who fail to appear for their hearings are ordered removed in absentia. This Insight reviews immigration court outcomes for FY2025, including removal proceedings decisions, in absentia removal orders, and asylum application decisions. Removal Case Decisions Possible outcomes for removal proceedings are the following: * Removal order: The IJ orders the respondent to be removed. * Termination/Dismissal: The IJ may terminate cases under certain circumstances, such as when DHS's charge cannot be sustained or the respondent has obtained U.S. citizenship or a lawful immigration status after being placed in removal proceedings. An IJ may also grant a party's motion to dismiss proceedings under specified conditions. * Relief granted: The IJ grants the respondent a form of relief from removal, such as asylum (described below) or, less commonly, cancellation of removal. * Voluntary departure: The IJ grants the respondent's request to leave the United States during a specific timeframe at his/her own expense without being ordered removed. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12638 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress