Expedited immigration hearings face pushback from Oregon delegation

— Oregon's congressional delegation today demanded that the Trump administration end expedited “mega master” immigration hearings, warning that fast-tracked court proceedings in Oregon and Washington are depriving immigrants of constitutional due process.

Official response and confirmed impact

The letter was signed by Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Maxine Dexter and Janelle Bynum.

The Oregon lawmakers sent the letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, executive Office for Immigration Review Acting Director Sirce E.

Owen and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director David Venturella.

They called for an end to mass hearings that review hundreds of immigration cases in a single day, arguing the policy prevents individuals from securing legal representation and receiving fair judicial review.

Incident under investigation

In Oregon, the Portland Immigration Court is holding approximately two “mega master” hearings each week while maintaining its pre-scheduled docket and individual merit hearings.

Lawmakers said immigrants expecting court dates in 2027 or 2028 are suddenly required to appear on short notice, forcing them to arrange immediate transportation and secure legal representation.

In their letter, Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter and Bynum wrote, “Over the past year, your agencies have increased the number of immigrants who must appear on little-to-no notice for so-called 'mega master' hearings on overcrowded dockets in front of Trump's handpicked judges at courts across the country, all while stripping immigrants of their legal status, ramping up arrests and detention and limiting their access to legal counsel for representation in court and fast-tracked asylum interviews.”