Asylum Cases Are Being Sped Up—But Without Hearings. What Asylum Applicants Need to Know

At Katsivalis & Anderson Law, we are closely monitoring recent changes to asylum processing under the Trump administration. A new fast-track process, revealed in April 2025 and confirmed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is raising serious due process concerns for asylum seekers across the country.

According to recent reports—including a detailed account by NPR—some immigrants are being issued final removal orders without ever appearing before a judge. This shift primarily targets new arrivals who entered the United States between June 2021 and May 2023 and are already subject to removal proceedings. Under this program, individuals may have their cases closed by an ICE officer—rather than an immigration judge—if they fail to file an asylum application within a very short window.

What’s most alarming is the speed and discretion involved. Instead of a hearing, some immigrants receive a mailed notice giving them just 30 days to submit their I-589 asylum application to ICE. If they do not comply exactly as instructed, ICE may issue an order of removal without a court hearing. In other words, a missed deadline or misunderstood instruction can mean losing your chance to seek protection, and being ordered deported in your absence.

This process raises serious questions about fundamental fairness. For decades, immigrants have had the right to make their case before an immigration judge, often with legal representation. But this new track eliminates the courtroom entirely for many, replacing it with a paperwork-only process. While ICE states that this “paper review” process is meant to streamline the system, in practice it is leaving vulnerable immigrants at risk of being removed without ever having their story heard.

This is not hypothetical. Immigrant advocates report clients receiving confusing notices with tight deadlines, no access to legal help, and no explanation of the consequences. Many don’t realize that their asylum claim will be denied automatically if they fail to submit the I-589 correctly—and that they may never get a second chance.

At our firm, we believe that every person deserves a fair opportunity to make their case for protection. The United States has long recognized the right to seek asylum under both domestic and international law. Speeding up cases at the expense of due process undermines the integrity of our immigration system and puts lives at risk.

If you or someone you know has received a notice to submit an asylum application directly to ICE, please do not wait. The deadlines are unforgiving, and a missed step can have permanent consequences. Our attorneys are available to review notices, file timely applications, and ensure that no one is deported without a fair opportunity to present their case.

To schedule a consultation, please call our office at 773-657-3633 or email us at info@kaimmigrationlaw.com. We are here to help you navigate these difficult changes with the urgency and care your case deserves.