Ximena Bustillo

If someone is told to go to immigration court, they have to show up.

Otherwise, the government may have the right to order them removed.

Immigration lawyers, though, say that there are several reasons why someone may not show up.

It's possible that the notices were sent to the wrong address.

There could be mail delays, or the person may have even left the country already.

Still, advocates say most immigrants are showing up to court and hope to get their chance to argue why they should stay.

Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

Earlier this year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began making arrests in immigration court.

That coincided with an increase in what is called a removal order in absentia.

If someone is told to go to immigration court, they have to show up.

Otherwise, the government may have the right to order them removed.

Immigration lawyers, though, say that there are several reasons why someone may not show up.

It's possible that the notices were sent to the wrong address.

There could be mail delays, or the person may have even left the country already.

Still, advocates say most immigrants are showing up to court and hope to get their chance to argue why they should stay.

Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

The largest group affected includes those under a program called temporary protected status.

It provides deportation protection and grants work permits to people from specific countries affected by war, natural disaster, political instability, or any other condition that makes the country unsafe for its nationals to return to.

The administration has ended TPS for 10 countries, impacting an estimated 1 million people.

The Trump administration argues that parole programs like TPS are meant to only be temporary.