For the past six months the Denver Immigration Court has been operating out of the ordinary. Specifically, two immigration judges at the Denver Immigration Court have been assigned to hear cases originating at the Artesia, New Mexico detention facility via video teleconference. Because two judges were assigned full-time to preside over the Artesia docket, any non-Artesia cases previously scheduled to be heard by these judges were being cancelled and rescheduled.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review announced this week that the Denver Immigration Court will soon return to normal. A few months ago the Artesia, New Mexico detention facility was closed and all detainees were transferred to the Dilley, Texas Residential Detention Facility. This facility, which was recently expanded to host 2,400 beds, will now have detainees’ removal cases reassigned to immigration judges at the Miami Immigration Court. This transition is set to begin May 1, 2015. All cases in which a Denver immigration judge has already begun to hear contested evidence will remain with that judge.
Respondents with cases at the Denver Immigration Court can expect their cases to begin going forward as scheduled.