– Potential partial government shutdown threatens to impact U.S. immigration courts
– Existing backlogs may be further exacerbated, warn immigration lawyers and judges
– Government shutdown might set back rescheduling of court proceedings
Backlogs in Immigration Courts Could Increase Following Government Shutdown
With a potential partial government shutdown looming, the U.S. Immigration courts may be hit hard. According to legal experts, this could lead to further delays in an already clogged system. Concerns are growing that if the shutdown takes place, the rescheduling or cancellation of court dates, many of which immigrants have been waiting years for could add unwelcome pressure.
Long-term Impact of Court Delays
Immigration lawyers and judges have issued warnings that increased build-up in these backlogs could result due to the shutdown. They worry that the most severely affected will be immigrants who could have to wait extended periods for court proceedings to resume, adding to their anxiety.
In addition to this, the difficulty in rescheduling might also lead to further delays. As some of these cases have been in the pipeline for years, a postponement due to a shutdown could translate to cases being put on hold indefinitely, resulting in an increased backlog when things return to normal.
The Breezy Take
A potential government shutdown spells trouble for the U.S. immigration courts, with a risk of causing even worse disruptions to an already strained system. If the shutdown happens, expect further build-up in backlogs and delays in cases, primarily affecting immigrants who’ve been waiting years for their court proceedings. Today’s warning should serve as an urgent reminder that balancing the nation’s budget and keeping our government’s wheels turning is not just a bureaucratic issue—it directly impacts real lives and deserves the utmost priority from lawmakers.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/09/29/shutdown-would-mean-even-more-delays-in-overwhelmed-u-s-immigration-courts/