KITV News - Hawaii lawmakers question DOJ’s shift to in-person immigration court hearings which creates travel challenges

Hawaiʻi lawmakers are demanding answers from the Department of Justice regarding its sudden shift back to mandatory, in-person immigration court hearings. This policy imposes severe financial and logistical travel challenges on residents of neighbor islands who must fly to Oʻahu for brief procedural appearances, ultimately threatening their access to due process.

October 20, 2026

KITV HI LAWMAKERS

HONOLULU (Island News) -- Hawaii's congressional delegation is asking the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to explain its decision to shift Honolulu Immigration Court hearings from virtual to in-person, due to travel challenges it poses to residents not on Oahu.

Lawmakers sent a letter on Friday, Oct. 16, saying Honolulu's Immigration Court has shifted from virtual to in-person hearings.

Oahu houses the only immigration court in the state and because of Hawaii's unique geography, the DOJ had allowed hearings to be held virtually. However, the department reversed its decision last year.

Now that cases are heard face-to-face, lawmakers and immigration advocates said this puts a strain on people living on the neighbor island.

I think this has just become a really huge burden and something that just adds a lot of stress and weight when people are thinking about a proceeding that is already really complicated, really confusing

—

said Leilani Stacy, immigrants' rights attorney, ACLU of Hawaii.

DOJ data showed that the number of people who've had to travel for their hearings jumped from 33% to 86% within the past year.

Hawaii's Congressional Delegation is now asking the DOJ for its reason behind the change, which they have given a deadline of Nov. 5.

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