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NewsNBC 7 San Diego — Local NewsSeptember 3, 2026San Diego

Asylum denial rate reaches 94% amid immigration court restructuring

The asylum denial rate in U.S. immigration courts rose to 94% as of June, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). This shift follows the departure of 279 immigration judges since fall 2024 and increased use of procedural motions by the Department of Homeland Security to dismiss claims without full hearings.

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Why It Matters

The rising denial rate directly impacts the legal status and removal risk for individuals seeking protection in the U.S. based on persecution, while signaling a significant shift in how immigration courts process claims.

Key Facts

  • The asylum denial rate reached 94% nationwide as of June.
  • Only 771 people were granted asylum in the U.S. during the month of June.
  • 279 immigration judges have been fired or resigned since fall 2024.
  • Asylum denial rates rose from nearly 70% at the end of the Biden administration to 94% under the current administration.
  • The Department of Homeland Security is increasingly filing motions to 'pretermit' cases, which asks judges to dismiss asylum claims without a full hearing.
  • Immigration courts are managed by the Executive Office for Immigration Review, a branch of the Department of Justice.
  • Asylum denials result in a removal order, though these decisions can be appealed.
  • The Department of Justice states that reducing the immigration court backlog is a top priority.

Who's Mentioned

organizationTransactional Records Access Clearinghouse“Nonpartisan research center at Syracuse University that analyzed the data.”personJoe Biden“Former President whose term saw asylum denial rates rise to nearly 70%.”personDonald Trump“President whose administration is overseeing the immigration court changes.”other771“Number of people granted asylum nationwide in June.”personVictor Hernandez“Immigration attorney commenting on procedural changes in court.”other279“Number of immigration judges fired or resigned since fall 2024.”