President Donald Trump’s renewed focus on border enforcement has led to the first sustained drop in the U.S. immigration court backlog in nearly two decades. According to The Washington Times, the backlog has decreased from over 4.2 million cases under President Biden to 3.8 million in just over six months of Trump’s administration.

While improved efficiency in immigration courts plays a role, a senior Justice Department official attributed the reduction mainly to a dramatic drop in new cases, crediting Trump’s stricter border policies. “Enforcing the law… really does work to reduce illegal immigration and the backlog,” the official said.

During Biden’s term, the system was overwhelmed, with nearly 150,000 new cases added monthly and only about 60,000 resolved. Since January, however, new case filings have dropped to around 29,000 a month, while judges are now closing more than 65,000 — a reversal that experts say restores balance and credibility to the immigration system.

Former immigration judge Andrew “Art” Arthur explained that the reduced backlog ensures quicker decisions: valid asylum seekers receive protection sooner, while fraudulent cases are resolved and deported promptly. This discourages illegal migration by sending a clearer message to would-be migrants.

Arthur emphasized that, under Biden, the massive backlog effectively created de facto amnesty, giving newcomers years before seeing a judge. Social media once encouraged illegal crossings by spreading success stories. With the backlog shrinking, that narrative has changed, and enforcement has regained credibility.

However, critics like Adriel Orozco of the American Immigration Council warn of humanitarian consequences. Under Trump’s stricter policies, many migrants are denied the chance to seek asylum, face prosecution, or are held in detention. The faster proceedings may deter migrants, but some argue they come at the cost of due process and human rights.