Black Friday: Important Update for WGV Clients with Court on November 29, 2019
If you have been in immigration court in San Antonio for the past several years, you may have a hearing date scheduled for November 29, 2019. WGV has received confirmation from the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in San Antonio that there will be NO HEARINGS on 11/29/2019.
Why were so many cases scheduled on “Black Friday”?
In 2014, the Obama administration began cancelling hearings for thousands of people in deportation proceedings – especially in Central and South Texas – so that judges could instead address the so-called “surge” of asylum seekers at the Texas-Mexico border. From 2014 – approximately 2016, many thousands of hearings were cancelled and rescheduled for 11/29/2019. This was a way for the immigration court to “park” cases in the computer system and keep them open, but allow for more immediate hearings for people in detention and new arrivals. Ironically, the date is the day after Thanksgiving, so it only made sense to refer to it as “Black Friday.”
However, because the backlog of cases (and the level of chaos) in the immigration court has only continued to grow under the current administration, we are now fewer than 30 days out from Black Friday, and many people still have not received notice of a new hearing.
What is going to happen to my case?
Your case will be rescheduled. Many WGV clients have begun receiving new hearing notices with a date of February 21, 2021. Not surprisingly, this is another “fake” date. February 21, 2021 falls on a Sunday.
If you do not have an attorney and are waiting for a new hearing notice, you should continue to check the EOIR automated phone system WEEKLY for information about your case. That system may be accessed by calling 1-800-898-7180.
We are here to help! For an analysis of your case or help determining next steps for your immigration court hearing, call 512-633-1785 and schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys.
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