Immigration attorneys say fear of arrest by federal agents is discouraging some immigrants in North Texas from attending scheduled immigration court hearings, a trend that can lead to automatic deportation orders. Lawyers practicing in Dallas say clients who are pursuing legal immigration status are increasingly afraid to appear in court after reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people at courthouses across the country.

When immigrants fail to appear for their hearings, immigration judges often issue “in absentia” removal orders, which allow deportation to proceed without the person present and can permanently block future attempts to obtain legal status.

Missed Hearings Can End Immigration Cases

Dallas immigration attorney Paul Zoltan said one of his clients, a Honduran man seeking asylum due to threats tied to his sexual orientation, missed a court appearance because of intense fear of being detained. Zoltan said the man had what he believed was a strong asylum case but suffered a panic attack on the day of his hearing after seeing videos online of immigrants being detained at courthouses.

Because the client did not appear, the court issued an in absentia deportation order, closing the case. Once such an order is issued, it is extremely difficult to reopen the case. Courts typically only reconsider cases under limited circumstances such as serious illness, domestic violence or proof that the person never received notice of the hearing.

“Fear of arrest is categorically not a reasonable cause to reopen a case,” Zoltan said.

No-Show Deportation Orders Rising Nationwide

Data from the U.S. Department of Justice shows that removal orders issued after missed hearings have increased sharply in recent years. The number of such orders rose from about 8,500 in 2021 to more than 223,000 in 2024, then increased again to over 310,000 in 2025.

In Dallas, the rate of cases ending in an in absentia order has also climbed. Analysis of immigration court data found that 53% of completed immigration cases in Dallas in early 2025 ended in deportation orders after missed hearings, rising to 79% by November, one of the highest rates among major U.S. cities.

Attorneys Say Fear Is a Major Factor

Immigration attorneys say the fear of detention during court visits has created a difficult situation for many immigrants. “If you’re going to court and you see other people getting picked up, that has a chilling effect,” said Flavia Santos Lloyd, an immigration lawyer based in California who represents clients in federal immigration court.

Some attorneys have begun requesting that hearings be held virtually through video conferencing in order to reduce the risk of detention, though judges do not always approve those requests.

Balancing Legal Process and Enforcement

Immigration court is often the only place where individuals can pursue asylum or other legal protections. But for some immigrants, attending court now carries the risk of detention if immigration agents are present. As a result, attorneys say some clients feel forced to choose between appearing in court and risking arrest or missing the hearing and facing automatic deportation.

Zoltan said the uncertainty surrounding enforcement tactics has made it harder for lawyers to reassure clients. “It is no surprise that people aren’t showing up to their hearings,” he said. “Even I don’t understand how to predict who will and who won’t walk out of their hearing free.”

Attorneys say the growing number of missed hearings highlights the difficult position many immigrants face as they attempt to navigate the legal process while fearing detention.