Immigration Courts completed nearly 974,000 cases during fiscal year 2026, setting the highest annual completion total in the history of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, according to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement issued October 29, 2026.
The agency also said the Board of Immigration Appeals completed nearly 46,400 cases during the fiscal year, its strongest result in 20 years.
EOIR, the Justice Department component responsible for immigration court proceedings and administrative appeals, described the results as significant accomplishments as immigration courts work to reduce a large pending caseload.
Table of Contents
EOIR reports records across immigration courts and appeals
The nearly 974,000 cases completed by Immigration Courts represent a new agency record, according to EOIR.
The Board of Immigration Appeals, commonly known as the BIA, completed nearly 46,400 cases, which EOIR identified as its highest total in two decades.
Immigration court cases generally involve proceedings before an immigration judge, while appeals from certain immigration judge decisions are reviewed by the BIA.
Because immigration courts and the BIA handle different stages of adjudication, their completion totals should not be added together as a count of unique individuals or unique cases.
| EOIR measure | Fiscal year 2026 result | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration court completions | Nearly 974,000 | Highest total in agency history |
| Board of Immigration Appeals completions | Nearly 46,400 | Highest total in 20 years |
| Permanent immigration judges hired | More than 300 | Highest single-year total in agency history |
| Backlog reduction since January 2025 | More than 678,000 cases | Reduction reported by EOIR |
Agency says backlog fell by more than 678,000 cases
Acting EOIR Director Sirce Owen said the agency had reduced its backlog by more than 678,000 cases since January 2025.
For immigration courts, the reported reduction does not establish how many cases remained pending after the reduction.
EOIR did not state in the October 29 release how many cases remained pending.
The agency’s public workload page provides separate data on pending cases, new cases, total completions, decision outcomes, appeals, motions, representation and other categories.
EOIR cautions that its statistics can change because staff regularly enter and update information in the agency’s case database.
The agency’s statistics page was updated October 20, 2026, and includes fiscal year 2026 materials for case outcomes and other workload measures.
The reported reduction does not mean every person with a pending matter will receive an immediate hearing or decision.
Case timing can vary based on the court, the type of proceeding, whether a person is detained, filings by the parties, motions, appeals and other factors.
EOIR expands immigration judge workforce
EOIR said it hired more than 300 permanent immigration judges during fiscal year 2026.
The agency described that figure as the highest number of permanent immigration judges hired in a single fiscal year in its history.
EOIR also reported bringing on a record number of new immigration judges and temporary immigration judges.
Additional adjudicators can increase the number of hearings and decisions that immigration courts are able to complete, although hiring alone does not determine how quickly an individual case will be resolved.
Immigration judges decide cases under federal immigration law, including removal proceedings and applications for relief when those matters are properly before the court.
Temporary immigration judges may also hear cases under EOIR’s procedures and training requirements.
The agency said its new judges joined an immigration judge corps expected to hear matters fairly, expeditiously and uniformly in accordance with the law.
Why the figures matter for people with pending cases
The new figures show that Immigration Courts processed more cases in fiscal year 2026 than in any previous year reported by EOIR.
The record shows how immigration courts increased their reported completion capacity, but for people with pending cases, that capacity may affect scheduling and the pace at which courts issue decisions.
The announcement does not change the legal requirements in an individual case.
A record number of completed cases also does not mean that all decisions favored the person appearing before the court.
Case completion can include different types of outcomes, including decisions, orders and other actions that close a matter under EOIR’s case-processing rules.
EOIR separately publishes decision-outcome data, which is necessary to understand the types of results included in its completion totals.
People should not assume that a backlog-reduction announcement means their hearing has been canceled, moved or decided.
Only an official notice from the court or an updated case record should be treated as confirmation of a case-specific change.
What people with immigration court cases should do
People with pending cases in immigration courts should continue following the hearing date and instructions shown in their official notices.
EOIR directs people to check its Automated Case Information System online or call the system at 800-898-7180 for case information.
People can also contact the immigration court handling their case when they need clarification about a hearing or filing.
EOIR states that notices from the immigration court are the official source for case information.
Anyone who has moved should make sure the court has the person’s current address and contact information through the required process.
People should also keep copies of hearing notices, filings, receipts and court correspondence.
Missing a scheduled hearing can have serious consequences, so individuals who cannot attend should seek qualified legal advice as soon as possible.
People who want representation should consider consulting a licensed immigration attorney or an accredited representative recognized to provide immigration legal services.
Individuals should be cautious about anyone who promises a guaranteed result or claims to have special influence over an immigration judge.
EOIR links the results to broader administration priorities
The October 29 announcement said EOIR would continue supporting the administration’s border security policies.
That statement describes the agency’s policy position, but it does not alter the requirement that immigration judges apply the law to the facts and record in each case.
The agency’s announcement focused on workload, staffing and case completion rather than announcing a new filing deadline or a new eligibility rule.
It also did not announce a blanket change to scheduled hearings, appeal deadlines or filing procedures.
People with cases before Immigration Courts should therefore treat the release as an agency performance update rather than as a new immigration benefit or automatic case action.
Where to find official case and workload information
EOIR’s Workload and Adjudication Statistics page includes published datasets covering pending cases, new cases, completions, decision outcomes and BIA appeals.
The data can help the public understand national workload trends for immigration courts, but national statistics cannot predict the result or exact timing of a particular case.
For case-specific information, EOIR says individuals should use the Automated Case Information System, contact the assigned court or rely on official notices.
Those official notices remain the controlling source for information about actions taken by immigration courts in an individual matter.
The agency’s October 29 release did not provide a projected date for eliminating the remaining backlog.
EOIR’s reported fiscal year 2026 accomplishments nevertheless mark a major increase in completed cases and adjudicator hiring as the agency continues attempting to process pending immigration matters in immigration courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cases did immigration courts complete in fiscal year 2026?
EOIR said immigration courts completed nearly 974,000 cases during fiscal year 2026, the highest annual total in the agency’s history.
How many cases did the Board of Immigration Appeals complete?
EOIR said the Board of Immigration Appeals completed nearly 46,400 cases in fiscal year 2026, its highest total in 20 years.
Did EOIR announce that every pending case will be decided soon?
No. The announcement reported agency-wide completion and backlog figures but did not provide an individual case deadline or guarantee a prompt decision.
How can someone check an immigration court case?
EOIR directs people to use its Automated Case Information System online, call 800-898-7180 or contact the immigration court handling the case.
Fact-Checked: Verified against EOIR’s October 29, 2026 release, EOIR’s workload statistics page, and its official case-information guidance. ([justice.gov](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1469266/dl?inline=))
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and is not legal advice. Case-specific questions should be directed to a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative.
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