World Immigration News

Trump fires more immigration judges even as he aims to increase deportations

Release Date: 2025-04-22
Media: npr
Summary: The Trump administration has fired at least eight immigration judges in Massachusetts, California, and Louisiana, continuing its efforts to shrink the federal government and increase immigration enforcement. These judges, all at the end of their two-year probationary period, were dismissed without explanation, raising concerns about due process for migrants and the growing backlog in immigration courts.

Since the start of Trump’s second term, over 100 court staff and more than two dozen judges have either resigned or been fired. Thirteen dismissed judges have filed a class appeal, claiming their terminations violated civil service protections.

With nearly 4 million pending immigration cases — including 1.5 million asylum applications — and only 666,177 decisions issued in fiscal year 2024, experts warn that cutting judges worsens delays. Trump has argued that giving every migrant a trial is unrealistic, and an April memo from the EOIR encouraged judges to reject legally weak asylum claims without hearings.

Critics argue these firings contradict the administration’s stated goal of accelerating deportations and undermine the legal system's integrity. Union leader Matt Biggs called the moves hypocritical and damaging to the immigration courts' ability to function effectively.
Tags: USA

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