U.S. immigration courts face 4 million case backlog

(CNN)– Immigration courts are facing a record-high backlog.

According to new federal data, the backlog exceeds 4 million pending cases. The latest data reflects the first quarter of 2025.

Immigration courts decide whether to deport immigrants, and they have been bogged down over the years as more cases are added.   

The backlog which includes people seeking asylum, doubled since fiscal year 2021 following migrant surges along the U.S. Southern border.