World Immigration News

Justice Department fires multiple immigration judges amid case backlog

Release Date: 2025-02-16
Media: NBC News
Summary: The U.S. Department of Justice fired multiple immigration judges on Friday, adding strain to an already overburdened immigration system. The firings were carried out by the acting director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and a union representing immigration judges reported that over 20 judges, managers, and new hires have been dismissed since the start of the Trump administration.

Among those fired were five midlevel assistant chief immigration judges and 13 candidates for new judge positions. Kerry Doyle, a judge appointed during the Biden administration, claimed on LinkedIn that the firings were politically motivated, as they primarily targeted judges appointed under Biden. This move comes despite a massive backlog of approximately 3.6 million immigration cases.

The Trump administration has prioritized mass deportations over expanding the immigration court system. Agencies such as ICE, the DEA, FBI, and ATF have been mobilized to carry out large-scale arrests, while businesses employing undocumented immigrants are under increased scrutiny. There are also reports that the administration is considering using Defense Department funds to expand detention facilities.

The DOJ has also dismissed 12 U.S. attorneys and career lawyers involved in federal cases related to Trump’s alleged election interference and classified document mishandling. These cases were dropped after Trump’s reelection.

Trump’s administration has been aggressively reshaping the federal workforce, implementing mass firings and an early retirement buyout program. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been involved in efforts to downsize agencies such as USAID and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Tags: USA

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