Reopening In Absentia Orders Following Expedited "Mega Master" Calendar Hearings

Since May 2026, immigration courts have increasingly relied on "mega master" calendar hearings, high-volume master calendar dockets in which dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of respondents are scheduled for a single hearing, to move large numbers of cases quickly. The rapid pace of these proceedings has resulted in many noncitizens receiving in absentia removal orders after missing their hearing or being unable to meaningfully participate because of language barriers, lack of notice, confusion, or other procedural obstacles. As practitioners encounter more clients affected by these proceedings, it is critical to understand how to challenge in absentia removal orders and which reopening arguments are most likely to succeed. This is especially important because, absent limited exceptions, a noncitizen generally has only one motion to reopen a removal order. Presenters walk through the statutory and regulatory framework governing motions to reopen in absentia orders, including filing deadlines, evidentiary requirements, and strategic considerations for preserving a client's one opportunity to seek reopening. The discussion will place particular emphasis on the exceptional circumstances ground, including how to build the strongest possible record to support reopening. Because the exceptional circumstances ground carries a 180-day filing deadline, and the mega masters began in May, motions to reopen filed soon may still fall within that window. Attendees will leave ready to identify viable reopening grounds, preserve their client's single motion to reopen, and file before the deadline closes.