Hawaiʻi lawmakers challenge DOJ shift to in-person immigration hearings

The Hawaiʻi congressional delegation is challenging the U.S. Department of Justice over a significant shift in immigration court procedures. Lawmakers, including Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and Representatives Ed Case and Jill Tokuda, sent a letter questioning why the Honolulu Immigration Court has abruptly moved away from using virtual hearings.

Data indicates that Trump-appointed judges are requiring immigrants to appear in person at a much higher rate than their predecessors. In August 2026, approximately 90% of scheduled hearings were marked as in-person, compared to 22% in October 2025. For respondents with out-of-state addresses, the requirement to appear in person rose from 14% to 82%.

Because Honolulu hosts the state's only immigration court, residents from Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island must fly to Oʻahu to attend. Lawmakers expressed concern that low-income individuals may face deportation if they cannot afford inter-island airfare, hotel stays, and associated costs. The delegation proposed returning to remote appearance policies or establishing monthly in-person or video hearings on the Neighbor Islands to mitigate these financial burdens.