Long lines formed outside the Miami Immigration Court on Wednesday as judges implemented a new scheduling approach known as mega master calendar hearings. The tactic groups dozens of cases together in single sessions, with some dockets exceeding 100 matters per day.

Under the previous system, judges typically handled around three dozen cases daily. The shift aims to address a substantial backlog that has built up over years. Miami's immigration court holds the largest share of pending cases in the country.

The Trump administration has increased arrests and advanced hearing dates originally set for 2027 and later. Officials have also required appearances for matters previously treated as low priority. These steps reflect efforts to enforce immigration laws more consistently and reduce the national backlog exceeding 3 million cases.

Court observers reported standing-room-only conditions in multiple rooms. Judges read rights to groups of 30 or more individuals at once before assigning follow-up dates, often within weeks or a month. The Executive Office for Immigration Review has cited the need for timely case resolution as justification for the changes.

In-absentia deportation orders have risen sharply nationwide, with Miami seeing more than a doubling in recent months. The court will require fully in-person appearances for non-detained cases starting September 8, ending remote options used since the pandemic.

Miami's pending caseload reached approximately 137,000 earlier this summer, according to tracking data, with Florida overall surpassing 500,000. The concentration of hearings has strained building access and legal representation efforts, though administration statements emphasize the priority of clearing cases efficiently.

The approach follows record monthly enforcement actions and responds to the accumulation of matters from prior years. Supporters view the acceleration as essential to restoring order in a system strained by high volumes of claims.