The US Justice Department recently made the decision to fire multiple immigration judges. This move has raised concerns, especially as the immigration courts are already struggling with a massive backlog of cases. The situation has become even more complicated because former President Donald Trump has promised to carry out large-scale deportations, which would require these courts to handle even more cases.
A union that represents immigration judges has criticized the decision, saying it “doesn’t make sense” to reduce the number of judges at a time when the courts are overwhelmed. The union argues that cutting judges will only make the problem worse.
What Happened?
On Friday, several immigration judges were let go from their positions. This decision was made by the acting director of the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), which is part of the Justice Department and oversees immigration courts. According to reports, five mid-level assistant chief immigration judges and 13 candidates who were about to become judges received termination notices.
The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the union representing these judges, has pointed out that since the Trump administration began, more than two dozen immigration judges, managers, and new hires have been fired. This has left the immigration courts in a difficult position, as they are already dealing with a huge number of pending cases.
Why Is This a Problem?
The immigration court system in the US is currently facing a backlog of around 3.5 million cases. This means that millions of people are waiting for their cases to be heard, and the process can take years. By firing judges, the Justice Department is making it even harder for these cases to be resolved quickly.
Matt Biggs, the president of the IFPTE, expressed his confusion over the decision. He said, “You have a president who campaigned on immigration and removing people from the country. On the other hand, he’s firing the very judges who need to hear these cases and make decisions. It doesn’t make sense. It’s a head-scratcher.”
Political Reasons Behind the Firings?
Some of the judges who were fired believe that the decision was politically motivated. Kerry Doyle, one of the judges who lost her job, said on LinkedIn that she and others who were appointed during the Biden administration received an email on Friday informing them that they had been fired. Doyle previously worked as deputy general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security during the Biden administration.
In her statement, Doyle pointed out that the immigration courts are already overwhelmed with cases, and the Justice Department is asking Congress for more money to hire additional staff. She said, “This firing occurred despite the fact that the Immigration Court currently has around 3.5 million pending cases, and the DOJ is asking Congress for more money to hire more people at EOIR!”
Doyle also suggested that the firings were political, noting that she and her colleagues were hired during the Biden administration. However, NBC News has not been able to independently verify these claims, and the exact number of judges who were fired remains unclear.
Impact on the Immigration System
The decision to fire immigration judges could have serious consequences for the US immigration system. With fewer judges available to hear cases, the backlog is likely to grow even larger. This means that people who are waiting for their cases to be resolved may have to wait even longer, which can be incredibly stressful for them and their families.
Additionally, if the Trump administration moves forward with its plans to carry out mass deportations, the immigration courts will be under even more pressure. Without enough judges to handle the increased workload, the system could become completely overwhelmed.
What’s Next?
The Justice Department has not provided a detailed explanation for why these judges were fired. However, the decision has sparked a debate about the state of the US immigration system and the challenges it faces. Many people are concerned that reducing the number of judges will only make things worse, especially at a time when the courts are already struggling to keep up with the demand.
The union representing the judges is calling for the Justice Department to reconsider its decision. They argue that the immigration courts need more judges, not fewer, in order to address the backlog and ensure that cases are handled fairly and efficiently.
