In a decisive move to fulfill campaign promises of reducing government size and enhancing efficiency, the Trump administration has terminated 20 immigration judges.
This action, executed without prior notice, aligns with President Trump’s commitment to overhaul the federal workforce and address the nation’s immigration challenges.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that on Friday, 13 judges awaiting swearing-in and five assistant chief immigration judges were dismissed. This decision impacts the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), the DOJ division overseeing immigration courts.
The EOIR, managing approximately 700 judges, is currently contending with a backlog exceeding 3.7 million cases, as reported by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.
The administration has not specified whether these positions will be refilled. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the federal workforce, with recent directives instructing agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees lacking civil service protection, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.
Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, which represents federal employees, expressed concern over the abrupt terminations. He noted that two additional judges faced similar dismissals earlier in the week. Biggs criticized the lack of communication and transparency, stating, “They’re treating these people as if they’re not human beings. It’s bad all around.”
The immigration court system’s significant backlog has been a focal point for both political parties, with consensus on the need for more judges and support staff. However, the first Trump administration also pressured judges to expedite case decisions, aiming to accelerate the deportation process for undocumented immigrants.
In addition to the judge dismissals, the administration has made other significant changes within the EOIR. Earlier, five top court officials, including the agency’s acting director, Mary Cheng, were replaced. The current leader, Sirce Owen, previously an appellate immigration judge, has implemented several new directives, many of which reverse policies from the prior administration.
The DOJ recently halted financial support for nongovernmental organizations providing guidance to individuals facing deportation. This funding was restored after a coalition of nonprofit groups filed a federal lawsuit challenging the decision.
These actions underscore President Trump’s dual objectives: enforcing immigration laws through mass deportations and reducing the federal government’s size. The administration’s approach reflects a commitment to a leaner government structure, aiming to eliminate perceived inefficiencies and redundancies.
While some critics argue that reducing the number of immigration judges could exacerbate the existing backlog, supporters contend that a streamlined workforce, coupled with policy reforms, will lead to a more efficient and effective immigration system. The administration’s focus remains on enforcing immigration laws, securing borders, and ensuring that the federal workforce operates within its means.
As the situation develops, the administration is expected to provide further details on how it plans to manage the immigration court backlog and whether additional judicial appointments will be made to address the caseload.
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