Immigration advocates are raising alarm over what they're calling "hidden tribunals" — the practice of holding immigration court hearings in non-traditional, low-profile venues that make it harder for respondents to recognize they're in a legal proceeding or to secure representation. The shift to these less visible locations, often driven by court backlogs and resource constraints, has intensified concerns that due process protections are eroding at the very moment the immigration system is under the most strain. Critics argue that when hearings take place in unfamiliar settings without clear signage or public notice, immigrants facing deportation may not fully understand the gravity of what's happening to them, undermining the fairness of proceedings. The controversy underscores a broader tension between the government's push to clear mounting case backlogs and the constitutional right to meaningful access to justice.
'Hidden tribunals': Immigration court due process in tumult with new locations NPR
