The Trump administration has suddenly removed 20 immigration judges, raising concerns about the already overwhelmed court system. The move appears to be part of a broader effort to speed up deportations while cutting down the number of government employees.
Immigration Judges Removed Without Notice
On Friday, 13 judges who had not yet taken their oaths and five assistant chief immigration judges were abruptly dismissed. Earlier in the week, two other judges were removed without explanation. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which oversees around 700 judges, has not stated whether replacements will be appointed.
This decision comes at a time when the backlog of immigration cases has exceeded 3.7 million. Many asylum seekers must wait several years for a court hearing. Both Republicans and Democrats have tried to add more judges to handle the workload. However, under Trump’s leadership, judges have been pressured to process cases faster. Critics say this approach ignores the complexity of immigration cases.
Leadership Changes and Policy Reversals
The immigration court system has recently undergone major leadership changes. Former acting director Mary Cheng was removed, and Sirce Owen was appointed as the new director. She has already introduced new policies that reverse several changes made during Biden’s presidency.
One of the biggest policy shifts involves legal aid for immigrants. The Justice Department had attempted to cut funding for nonprofit groups that help people facing deportation. This led to a lawsuit from a coalition of advocacy groups. A federal court later ordered the government to reinstate the funding, ruling that the cuts violated legal procedures.
Impact on the Federal Workforce
The firings are part of Trump’s larger plan to reduce the number of government workers while ramping up deportations. Last Thursday, federal agencies were ordered to fire most probationary employees who do not have civil service protections. This move could affect thousands of workers across different departments.
Labor unions have strongly opposed the firings. Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, criticized the administration’s actions. “These workers are being treated as disposable. It’s a reckless strategy,” he said.
The Justice Department has not given a clear reason for the dismissals. Many believe that reducing the number of judges will only worsen the immigration court backlog, making it harder for cases to be resolved efficiently.
Broader Implications
Legal experts worry that these removals could disrupt the entire immigration court system. “This decision creates chaos,” said Lisa Gray, an immigration attorney in Washington, D.C. “Without enough judges, cases will take even longer, and people seeking asylum or fighting deportation will be left in limbo.”
Meanwhile, some lawmakers have raised concerns about the impact on due process. House Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, called the move “another attempt to break the system from within.” On the other hand, some conservative lawmakers support the decision, arguing that fewer judges could lead to quicker deportations, which they see as necessary for national security.
Future of Immigration Courts
It remains unclear whether the Trump administration plans to replace the dismissed judges. Some sources suggest that new judges may be appointed under stricter guidelines to align with Trump’s immigration policies.
For now, immigration courts remain overwhelmed, and the backlog continues to grow. Without enough judges, hearings will be further delayed, leaving thousands of people waiting for decisions that could impact their lives forever.
For more updates, visit New York Mirror.
