Federal Judges Warn of Immigration Lawsuit Backlog

Judges say Trump's deportation crackdown is overwhelming the courts

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Federal judges across the country are struggling to handle a flood of lawsuits filed by immigrants detained under the Trump administration's aggressive deportation efforts. The influx of cases is straining the resources of the federal court system.

Why it matters

The surge in immigration-related lawsuits is putting significant pressure on the federal judiciary, which is tasked with adjudicating these cases in a timely manner. Judges warn that the backlog could lead to delays in processing and potentially violate immigrants' due process rights.

The details

The Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration has led to a sharp increase in the number of immigrants being detained and facing deportation. This has in turn resulted in a flood of lawsuits filed by detainees challenging their detention and deportation proceedings. Federal judges are scrambling to manage this deluge of cases, which is straining court resources and leading to growing backlogs.

  • The Trump administration's mass deportation campaign began in 2017.

The players

Trump administration

The presidential administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, which implemented aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

Federal judges

Judges presiding over the federal court system who are tasked with adjudicating the influx of immigration-related lawsuits.

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The takeaway

The surge in immigration-related lawsuits is putting a significant strain on the federal court system, raising concerns about due process and the ability of judges to manage their caseloads in a timely manner. This issue highlights the broader challenges posed by the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies.