Oregon delegation urges Trump administration to end expedited immigration hearings

(KTVZ) -- Members of Oregon's congressional delegation sent a letter to Trump administration officials today demanding an end to expedited “mega master” immigration hearings.

U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Reps. Janelle Bynum, Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle and Maxine Dexter, stated that fast-tracked court proceedings process hundreds of immigrant cases a day, stripping individuals of due process.

The lawmakers addressed the letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, executive Office for Immigration Review Acting Director Sirce E. Owen and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director David Venturella.

In the letter, the Oregon lawmakers condemned recent policy changes by federal immigration enforcement and administrative court agencies.

“This unwarranted blitzkrieg of assaults on justice and fair treatment raises serious constitutional concerns and is unworthy of the oaths you swore to uphold,” the lawmakers wrote.

The Oregon delegation stated that federal agencies have expanded overcrowded dockets nationwide while restricting access to counsel.

“Over the past year, your agencies have increased the number of immigrants who must appear on little-to-no notice for so-called 'mega master' hearings on overcrowded dockets in front of Trump's handpicked judges at courts across the country, all while stripping immigrants of their legal status, ramping up arrests and detention and limiting their access to legal counsel for representation in court and fast-tracked asylum interviews,” the lawmakers wrote.

According to the letter, the Portland Immigration Court in Oregon now conducts about two “mega master” hearings each week in addition to its standard caseload, forcing individuals with court dates originally scheduled for 2027 or 2028 to appear on extremely short notice.

The lawmakers also criticized recent procedural changes at the nearby Tacoma Immigration Court serving the Pacific Northwest.

“As if the changes at the Portland Immigration Court weren't bad enough, the neighboring Tacoma Immigration Court has now had judges deciding in mid-August to stop allowing immigration attorneys across Oregon, Idaho and Alaska from appearing remotely on behalf of their clients detained at the regional detention center,” the delegation wrote. Under the new rules, attorneys and expert witnesses must appear in person, even as government lawyers and presiding judges are permitted to attend remotely in about half of the hearings.

Furthermore, the letter outlined operational hurdles imposed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and immigration courts. Officials are setting court hearings for the same morning notices are issued, giving attorneys little time to travel or prepare. The lawmakers added that federal authorities routinely deny attorneys access to clients in detention facilities and transfer detained immigrants thousands of miles to other facilities across the country.

“These policy changes confuse and terrify law-abiding immigrants in our communities and prevent them from having a fair day in court,” the lawmakers stated.

The Oregon delegation urged federal officials to restore standard court procedures and respect constitutional protections.

“Immigration court proceedings must uphold fairness and rule of law and not be politicized to satisfy Donald Trump's arbitrary detention quotas. We call on the Trump administration to discontinue policies and tactics that undermine constitutional due process. Our legal system relies on accountability; therefore, we demand that you establish fair and meaningful hearings that provide a genuine day in court and uphold the integrity of our nation's immigration system,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers demanded a written response from the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security by Oct. 15, 2026. The response must detail steps to terminate “mega master” hearings, provide sufficient notice of court dates, reduce hardships for defense attorneys and ensure judges hear cases individually without political influence.