The U.S. Justice Department recently terminated 20 immigration judges, including 13 who had not yet been sworn in and five assistant chief immigration judges. The dismissals, which came without prior notice, were revealed by the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, the union representing federal workers. In addition, two other judges were similarly dismissed in the preceding week.
It remains uncertain whether replacements will be appointed to fill these vacancies. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which oversees immigration courts and their approximately 700 judges, has not provided any official response regarding the matter.
Immigration Courts Strained by Heavy Backlog
The U.S. immigration court system is facing an unprecedented backlog, with more than 3.7 million pending cases, as reported by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Asylum seekers often wait several years before their cases are resolved. While there has been bipartisan support for increasing the number of judges and support staff to address this crisis, previous administrations have taken varied approaches. The Trump administration, for instance, pushed for expedited case processing, placing additional pressure on judges.
Policy Shifts Under New Leadership
The leadership at EOIR has undergone significant changes, with several high-ranking officials being replaced during the previous Trump administration. Among those removed was Mary Cheng, the acting director of the agency at the time. The current EOIR leader, Sirce Owen, who formerly served as an appellate immigration judge, has introduced several policy changes that largely reverse decisions implemented during the Biden administration.
In a related move last month, the Justice Department initially withdrew funding for nongovernmental organizations that provide legal information and guidance to individuals facing deportation. However, following a legal challenge by a coalition of nonprofit organizations, the funding was reinstated.
Government-Wide Layoffs and Immigration Policy Implications
The recent firings align with two major priorities of the Trump administration: reducing the size of the federal workforce and increasing immigration enforcement. On Thursday, the government mandated federal agencies to dismiss nearly all probationary employees who had not yet obtained civil service protection. This measure could impact hundreds of thousands of government workers, as probationary employees generally have less than one year of service.
Union representatives have voiced concerns over the dismissals, viewing them as part of a broader effort to reshape the federal workforce. While it remains unclear whether these terminations are directly linked to a shift in immigration policy, federal employee advocates argue that they are part of a larger trend of workforce reductions across government agencies.
Looking Ahead – Justice Department Cuts Immigration Judges Amidst Workforce Reduction Efforts
The dismissal of immigration judges raises concerns about the future of the already overwhelmed immigration court system. With millions of pending cases, the loss of judges may further delay case resolutions, affecting asylum seekers and other individuals navigating the system. Additionally, the potential for further cuts within the federal workforce could impact government services and efficiency. As the situation unfolds, immigration advocates and legal organizations are likely to monitor developments closely and challenge actions that may undermine due process within the immigration system.
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