Immigration lawyers say increased automation in the visa and application review process is contributing to a sharp rise in immigration cases before Canada’s Federal Court. Multiple reports note that the volume of immigration-related filings at the court has more than quadrupled since 2020. Lawyers interviewed by outlets connect part of this growth to the greater use of automated tools in visa processing and initial application assessments, arguing that faster or more standardized decision-making can lead to more disputes reaching the court when applicants challenge outcomes. The accounts also point to the broader effect of administrative backlogs and procedural timelines, which can add to the number of matters seeking judicial review. While the reports focus on automation as a contributing factor, they do not suggest it is the sole reason for the backlog. Instead, they describe automation as one element in a wider set of pressures affecting immigration decision pathways and the pace at which cases progress through reviews and appeals. Overall, immigration lawyers are calling attention to the backlog’s scale and to how system changes in processing can influence litigation volumes.