Habeas corpus delays leave detained immigrants waiting months for federal rulings

A ProPublica analysis of court records covering more than 70,000 habeas corpus petitions filed since January 2025 has identified significant inconsistencies in the speed of federal court rulings regarding the detention of immigrants. The surge in filings, driven by mass detention under the second Trump administration, has placed considerable strain on federal courts, resulting in wait times that vary dramatically by district.

In the Southern District of Mississippi, where the Adams County Correctional Center is located, resolved cases have taken a median of 92 days to close. Similarly, in Louisiana, which hosts many Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centres, cases have taken a median of 89 days to resolve. These figures stand in sharp contrast to districts such as Minnesota, where more than 1,500 petitions have been filed and cases have closed in a median of just 12 days.

The delays have had tangible consequences for those in custody. Some detainees have accepted voluntary deportation or been removed from the country before a judge could rule on their freedom. In one instance, a man detained in Mississippi was deported in late April, rendering his habeas case moot after eight months in custody. His attorney described the lack of communication from the court as a "black hole," noting that the case was closed in May without a substantive decision on his liberty.

Individual judicial practices also contribute to the backlog. In Oklahoma’s Western District, median case closure times range from 49 days for Judge Jodi W. Dishman to 144 days for Judge Charles Goodwin. Meanwhile, in the Georgia Middle District, Judge Clay D. Land has implemented directives allowing magistrate judges to use pre-approved language to order bond hearings, resulting in a median case closure time of 29 days.

Advocates and attorneys have called for better case distribution and faster adjudication to address the growing backlog. A letter sent to Chief Judge Sul Ozerden in March recommended distributing habeas cases among other judges in the district, a measure that has not yet been fully adopted. As of late August, Judge David C. Bramlette III in Mississippi had 747 habeas cases assigned to him, with approximately 72 per cent remaining active.

While some courts have begun to adjust their processes to handle the unprecedented volume, the disparity in resolution times remains a central issue. The analysis highlights that while some districts have cleared nearly 80 per cent of their docket, others continue to struggle with staffing shortages and procedural delays, leaving detainees in prolonged uncertainty.