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Chicago Immigration Court

The Chicago immigration court backlog

The Chicago immigration court, located at 55 E. Monroe St., 15th Floor, Chicago, IL, serves Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Case status can be checked via the EOIR automated case status hotline: 800-898-7180.

Last updated: 2026-07-04

224,000168,000112,00056,0000Early 2025193,000March 2026200,000+
View data table
PeriodPending casesSource
Early 2025193,000TRAC Reports
March 2026200,000+EOIR data via Injustice Watch
Chicago immigration court pending caseload over time. Source: TRAC Reports; EOIR data reported by Injustice Watch, as of March 2026.

National context

National pending cases
3,318,099
Source: TRAC Reports, as of February 2026
Asylum share of pending cases
roughly 70% (about 2,322,671)
Source: TRAC Reports, as of February 2026
Average hearing wait
around 1,424 days
Source: TRAC Reports, as of early 2024
In-absentia removal orders
up 31%
Source: TRAC Reports, as of 2025
Important: Missing a scheduled hearing risks a removal order issued in absence — even if the case has merit. Anyone who moves must update their address with the immigration court within five business days.

This page provides general information for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration law changes frequently — confirm current details with a licensed immigration attorney or the official government source cited below.

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