Fact Check: The U.S. has an overwhelming backlog of asylum claims.

Fact Check: "The U.S. has an overwhelming backlog of asylum claims."

What We Know

The claim that the U.S. has an overwhelming backlog of asylum claims is supported by substantial data. As of February 2025, there were approximately 3.7 million pending cases in U.S. immigration courts, with 1,961,655 of these cases specifically related to asylum applications (source-5). This represents a significant portion of the overall backlog, indicating a considerable number of individuals awaiting hearings or decisions on their asylum claims.

The backlog has been exacerbated by various factors, including increased asylum filings and operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, the asylum backlog alone increased by nearly 150,000 cases (or 8%) in just two months leading up to February 2025 (source-5). Additionally, locations such as New York City and Miami have reported particularly high numbers of pending asylum cases, with New York City alone having over 200,000 asylum cases (source-5).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim of an overwhelming backlog is robust. The statistics provided by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), which analyzes immigration court data, indicate a clear trend of increasing asylum claims and a growing backlog (source-5). The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) also confirms these figures, showing that the backlog has reached unprecedented levels (source-2).

Moreover, the American Immigration Council highlights that the backlog in U.S. immigration courts has reached all-time highs, with over 3.7 million open removal cases as of January 31, 2025, further corroborating the claim (source-8). The reliability of these sources is high, as they are based on official government data and reputable research organizations.

However, it is essential to note that while the backlog is significant, the term "overwhelming" can be subjective. The backlog's impact varies depending on individual circumstances, such as the urgency of specific cases and the resources available for adjudication. Nonetheless, the sheer volume of pending asylum claims undeniably supports the assertion that the U.S. is facing a significant backlog.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "The U.S. has an overwhelming backlog of asylum claims" is true based on the substantial evidence of nearly 2 million pending asylum cases within a total backlog of 3.7 million cases. The data from credible sources such as TRAC and EOIR confirms the significant challenges facing the U.S. immigration system regarding asylum claims.

Fact Check: The U.S. has an overwhelming backlog of asylum claims.