Ximena Bustillo

A federal judge is expected to raise more questions today about whether the administration is doing enough to, quote, facilitate Abrego Garcia's return. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

A federal judge is expected to raise more questions today about whether the administration is doing enough to, quote, facilitate Abrego Garcia's return. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

Immigration law experts say the judicial vacancies exacerbate millions of backlogged cases already piled up in immigration courts.

Immigration law experts say the judicial vacancies exacerbate millions of backlogged cases already piled up in immigration courts.

That is Matt Biggs, president of the union that represents immigration judges. There is currently a 4 million case backlog in the courts, and each judge could have reviewed up to 700 cases a year. But as the administration makes it a priority to increase the pace of immigration-related arrests, it's unclear what the plan is to replace the judges to hear the cases.

That is Matt Biggs, president of the union that represents immigration judges. There is currently a 4 million case backlog in the courts, and each judge could have reviewed up to 700 cases a year. But as the administration makes it a priority to increase the pace of immigration-related arrests, it's unclear what the plan is to replace the judges to hear the cases.

Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

I've identified this process down to five steps. Being identified as deportable, being arrested, going through immigration court, receiving a final order of removal and ultimate removal. Keep in mind that process is individualized to each case and who, what, when, where, how someone is identified can drag on for years or be very quick.

I've identified this process down to five steps. Being identified as deportable, being arrested, going through immigration court, receiving a final order of removal and ultimate removal. Keep in mind that process is individualized to each case and who, what, when, where, how someone is identified can drag on for years or be very quick.

I've identified this process down to five steps. Being identified as deportable, being arrested, going through immigration court, receiving a final order of removal and ultimate removal. Keep in mind that process is individualized to each case and who, what, when, where, how someone is identified can drag on for years or be very quick.

Those at risk for arrest primarily include people without legal status because they may have entered the country illegally, overstayed a work or student visa, or violated the terms of their green card, including by committing a crime. But the government doesn't have to prove that you committed a crime to see you as removable. A good example of this could be those without work authorization.

Those at risk for arrest primarily include people without legal status because they may have entered the country illegally, overstayed a work or student visa, or violated the terms of their green card, including by committing a crime. But the government doesn't have to prove that you committed a crime to see you as removable. A good example of this could be those without work authorization.

Those at risk for arrest primarily include people without legal status because they may have entered the country illegally, overstayed a work or student visa, or violated the terms of their green card, including by committing a crime. But the government doesn't have to prove that you committed a crime to see you as removable. A good example of this could be those without work authorization.

There's about 8 million in this country.

There's about 8 million in this country.

There's about 8 million in this country.

Homeland security investigations are expensive and time consuming. So they often rely on local law enforcement to report that they have arrested or identified someone without legal status. Then there's also what are called, quote, at large arrests. These are arrests conducted by ICE out in the field.

Homeland security investigations are expensive and time consuming. So they often rely on local law enforcement to report that they have arrested or identified someone without legal status. Then there's also what are called, quote, at large arrests. These are arrests conducted by ICE out in the field.

Homeland security investigations are expensive and time consuming. So they often rely on local law enforcement to report that they have arrested or identified someone without legal status. Then there's also what are called, quote, at large arrests. These are arrests conducted by ICE out in the field.