A new wave of dismissals has impacted immigration courts in Massachusetts, California, and Louisiana as the Trump administration continues its efforts to reduce government size and increase immigration enforcement. At least eight immigration judges have received notifications that they would be placed on leave and their employment terminated by April 22. This information was confirmed by two individuals with knowledge of the situation and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the union representing immigration judges. These sources requested anonymity due to concerns about potential repercussions.
The reasons for the judges’ terminations were not disclosed, as they were at the end of their two-year probationary term with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), a division of the Justice Department. EOIR did not offer any comment on personnel issues.
The administration has also initiated the dismissal of probationary employees across various federal agencies, which has further fueled criticisms directed at the Trump administration regarding insufficient due process for migrants facing deportation. President Trump’s recent social media statements have echoed similar concerns, suggesting that conducting individual trials for all would be implausible.
Currently, around 700 immigration judges are operating within the United States’ 71 immigration courts and adjudication centers. These judges hold the authority to revoke green cards and issue final deportation orders for individuals who have been in the U.S. for more than two years and are undergoing deportation proceedings.
The recent dismissals are occurring amid numerous vacancies across the courts, following layoffs and resignations of over 100 court staff, including more than two dozen judges. EOIR has recently advertised for immigration judge positions nationwide, notably in courts where judges have been dismissed.
Matt Biggs, president of the judges’ union, voiced concerns that removing judges exacerbates the courts’ extensive backlog of cases. He criticized the approach as “pure hypocrisy,” advocating for the hiring rather than firing of judges.
Thirteen judges who have been dismissed since Trump’s second term commenced have filed a class appeal, asserting wrongful termination. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, stated that these judges were dismissed in contravention of established civil service protections.
Experts in immigration law are expressing concern about the existing backlog in the system, with judges reviewing approximately 500 to 600 cases annually. Despite this, nearly 4 million cases remained pending in the last quarter of 2024, including approximately 1.5 million asylum cases. In fiscal year 2024, immigration courts issued 666,177 initial case decisions.
To address the backlog, the administration is applying pressure to expedite case reviews. In a memo dated April 11, EOIR acting Director Sirce Owen criticized judges for not managing their dockets efficiently and encouraged dismissing legally deficient asylum cases without hearings. This directive might allow judges to rule on asylum eligibility without hearings, based solely on asylum request forms.
Biggs argues that the firing of judges complicates the goal of increasing deportations. Regarding Trump’s remarks, Biggs noted that at the rate judges are being dismissed, resolving the pending cases might indeed take a substantial amount of time.
