REMOVE Act Mandates 15-Day Limit on Immigration Court Hearings for Convicted Migrants

The newly proposed Rapid Expulsion of Migrant Offenders who Violate and Evade Act, or the REMOVE Act, is pushing for a serious overhaul of how fast immigration cases move through the courts, especially for people who have been ordered removed and convicted of certain crimes.

The 15-Day Clock: Due Process on Fast Forward

The core of the REMOVE Act is a massive acceleration of the removal process. For migrants convicted of a crime that makes them deportable under section 237(a) of the law, the Attorney General must start the removal process as soon as possible after the conviction date. This isn't just a suggestion; it’s a hard mandate.

The most critical change is found in Section 2, which dictates that all immigration court hearings for these individuals must be completed within just 15 days of the proceedings beginning. This deadline is so strict that the bill explicitly states it must be followed regardless of any other rule in the law—even overriding existing protections like section 208(d)(5)(A), which deals with asylum procedures. Think about that: 15 days to handle everything from initial filing to final decision. It’s like trying to close on a house, file your taxes, and plan a wedding all in two weeks.

What This Means for the Courts and the People Involved

For the immigration court system, this is a massive operational challenge. Immigration judges are already dealing with massive backlogs, and forcing a complete case resolution in 15 days will put immense pressure on the system. The Attorney General is tasked with taking “every step necessary” to meet this deadline, which means we can expect new rules and instructions that prioritize speed above all else. This could include limiting the number of witnesses, restricting evidence presentation, or simply forcing hearings to run around the clock.

For the individual facing removal, this is a severe restriction on due process. Preparing a complex defense, securing legal counsel, gathering evidence, and filing appeals takes time. If you’re dealing with a language barrier, trying to prove asylum eligibility, or challenging the initial conviction, a 15-day window is barely enough time to hire a lawyer, let alone build a case. This fast-track process risks turning complex legal proceedings into a procedural formality, potentially leading to errors or unfair outcomes simply because there wasn't enough time to present a full defense.

While the stated goal is to expedite the removal of convicted offenders, the practical reality is that imposing such a short, non-negotiable deadline could severely restrict the ability of individuals to access justice. It’s a clear trade-off: speed and enforcement efficiency versus procedural fairness and the time needed for a thorough legal review.