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5 Critical Updates On The Salt Lake City Immigration Court: Backlog, New Judges, And 2025 Policy Shifts

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The Salt Lake City Immigration Court (SLCIC), a crucial component of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), is currently undergoing significant operational and staffing changes that directly impact thousands of pending cases across Utah and the surrounding region. As of late 2025, the court faces a critical backlog and has seen a flurry of new judicial appointments and policy updates that every respondent, attorney, and advocate must understand.

This deep dive provides the most current, up-to-date information on the SLCIC, including its confirmed location, operational status, the staggering backlog numbers, and the new legal tools judges are using to manage their dockets based on 2024–2025 EOIR policy shifts. Staying informed on these developments is not just helpful—it is essential for navigating the complex U.S. immigration system.

Salt Lake City Immigration Court: Essential Contact and Operations

The Salt Lake City Immigration Court is officially OPEN and operational, serving as the primary venue for removal proceedings in Utah. It is essential to note that the court is located in West Valley City, not downtown Salt Lake City.

  • Operational Status: OPEN
  • Official Address: 2975 South Decker Lake Drive, Suite 200, West Valley City, UT 84119-6094
  • Jurisdiction: The court falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge. It handles both non-detained and detained hearings (Det - Cfr/Rfr) at this single location.
  • Window Filing Hours: Documents can be filed in person from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The court is closed on all federal holidays.
  • Contact Information: For general inquiries, the court prefers contact via email: SaltLakeCity.Immigration.Court@usdoj.gov. For case status information, the Automated Case Information System (ACIS) is the primary resource, available online or by phone at 1-800-898-7180 (TDD: 1-800-828-1120).

Mandatory Security and Courtroom Conduct

All visitors, including attorneys, respondents, and family members, must pass through a mandatory security screening upon entry. This includes a metal detector and screening of all handbags and belongings. Prohibited items, such as cell phones, recording devices, and weapons, should not be brought into the facility. Security procedures are strictly enforced to maintain the integrity of the court proceedings.

The Utah Immigration Case Backlog Crisis and Judicial Staffing in 2025

The most pressing issue facing the Salt Lake City Immigration Court today is the escalating case backlog. This crisis has a direct and severe impact on the wait times for final decisions on asylum and removal cases.

Staggering Backlog Numbers

As of the most recent data available, the statewide pending caseload for Utah’s immigration court has surpassed 50,000 cases, with a total of 50,084 cases pending as of All-2025. This number places Utah among the states with a significant immigration court burden. The immense volume ensures that individuals face multi-year waits for their initial hearings, let alone a final resolution.

Recent Judicial Appointments and Losses

The backlog has been exacerbated by a significant loss of judicial resources. Recent reports from July 2025 indicated that Utah had lost approximately 60% of its immigration judges in a matter of months. This massive reduction in personnel placed an unsustainable burden on the remaining staff.

In response, the EOIR has made new appointments to stabilize the court’s capacity. Notably, Matthew N. Andrasko was appointed as a Temporary Immigration Judge to the Salt Lake City Immigration Court. Additionally, a new immigration judge, whose long legal resume was highlighted, was appointed in November 2025. These new judges are critical to addressing the massive pending caseload, but the court remains under intense pressure to adjudicate cases efficiently while maintaining due process.

Key EOIR Policy Shifts Impacting Salt Lake City Cases (2024–2025)

The legal landscape within the Salt Lake City Immigration Court is constantly evolving, with new EOIR policies from 2024 and 2025 providing judges with new tools to manage their dockets. These changes offer both opportunities and challenges for respondents.

Administrative Closure and Termination of Proceedings

A significant development is the renewed ability of Immigration Judges (IJs) to utilize administrative closure and termination of removal proceedings. New EOIR regulations published in 2024 formally allow IJs and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to administratively close or terminate cases under a variety of circumstances.

Administrative closure temporarily removes a case from the court’s active docket, often to allow a respondent to pursue an alternative form of relief with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as a family-based petition. Termination ends the removal proceedings entirely. These tools are crucial for managing the backlog and providing a pathway for certain non-priority cases.

Updated Operating Procedures

The EOIR Policy Manual, which governs the court’s internal operations, saw a significant update on February 4, 2025, with a combined Part VI focused on Operating Policies and Procedures. While technical, these updates can affect case management, scheduling, and filing requirements. Attorneys and pro se respondents must consult the latest EOIR Policy Manual to ensure compliance with the most current procedural rules.

Navigating the SLCIC: Forms of Relief and Legal Assistance

Respondents appearing before the Salt Lake City Immigration Court are typically in removal proceedings and must establish eligibility for a form of legal relief to avoid deportation. Understanding the common types of relief and where to find legal help is paramount.

Common Forms of Immigration Relief

The most frequent types of relief sought in the Salt Lake City Immigration Court include:

  • Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture (CAT): Protection for individuals who fear persecution or torture in their home country.
  • Cancellation of Removal: A discretionary form of relief for long-term residents (LPRs) or non-LPRs who meet specific requirements regarding continuous residence, good moral character, and extreme hardship to a qualifying relative.
  • Adjustment of Status: Seeking to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) based on an approved visa petition (e.g., family or employment-based).
  • Voluntary Departure: A request to leave the U.S. at one’s own expense to avoid a formal order of removal.

Pro Bono and Low-Cost Legal Entities

Given the complexity of immigration law, securing legal representation is highly recommended. Several local organizations provide low-cost or free (pro bono) immigration legal services to residents of Utah and those appearing before the Salt Lake City Immigration Court. These entities (or LSI keywords) include:

  • Holy Cross Ministries of Utah (developing a pro bono asylum program)
  • Utah Organizations (providing assistance with USCIS filings)
  • ALIGHT (Alliance to Lead Impact in Global Human Trafficking)
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Utah
  • Cherish Families
  • Disability Law Center

These organizations and private immigration lawyers, such as those at firms like Monument Immigration, are critical resources for navigating the SLCIC’s complex procedures and the massive backlog that continues to define its operations in 2025.

5 Critical Updates on the Salt Lake City Immigration Court: Backlog, New Judges, and 2025 Policy Shifts
salt lake city immigration court
salt lake city immigration court

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