Immigration Courts Backlogged Across the State

Posted: Jan 11, 2016 6:59 PM CSTUpdated: Jan 11, 2016 6:59 PM CST

SAN JUAN – Immigrations courts are backlogged across the state of Texas.

The need for more immigration judges in the Rio Grande Valley is crucial. There are 55 new immigration judges ready to be put to work.

At the La Union Del Pueblo Entero, there isn’t enough room for people waiting to speak to a counselor. More cases are being completed at the organization than in immigration court.

“We are processing, my husband and I, the citizenship. Specially, so that we can vote,” Elsa Carrillo said. She said she wants change by voting and understands the need for more judges.

“It’s a benefit for our organization to speed up all the cases that have been in limbo,” Carrillo said. “So it will be a great benefit to the community.”

LUPE spokesperson John Michael Torres works with immigration lawyers on a daily basis. Torres said there’s a huge backlog. “People’s due process rights are being compromised because of how big of a backlog there is, how quickly the judges try to push through cases,” he said.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS reached out to Congressman Henry Cuellar about the effort to get the judges hired. He released the following statement, “...The most recent reports of the immigration backlog show that almost half a million cases are currently pending. This increase is the largest of its kind and vital in order to give people quicker access to their day in court. Since the summer of 2014, the Rio Grande Valley has been the epicenter for illegal immigration. This is precisely why I also requested that the new judges be hired along the Southwest border, including the Valley."

Torres said that’s not enough and hopes more changes come with these news judges in place. “Put resources towards legal aid for immigrants, as well. We know if people don’t have representation, it’s a very small percentage that actually gain or able to win their case,” he said.

In addition, Cuellar said the judges will help increase investment with other agencies, such as U.S. attorneys and criminal justice systems. He said it still hasn’t been decided where these judges will be placed across the state.

http://www.krgv.com/story/30939708/immigration-courts-backlogged-across-the-state