- Trump administration dismissed 20 immigration judges without explanation, as part of efforts to reduce the federal government's size
- The firings included judges who had yet to be sworn in and assistant chief immigration judges, amid a backlog of over 3.7 million immigration cases
- Union officials expressed concern over the dismissals and the treatment of federal workers
Washington, D.C., USA – The Trump administration dismissed 20 immigration judges without explanation amid sweeping moves to shrink the size of the federal government, a union official reported on February 15.
The dismissals occurred on February 14, affecting 13 judges who had yet to be sworn in and five assistant chief immigration judges, according to Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers, which represents federal workers.
Context and impact of firings
According to AP, two additional judges were dismissed under similar circumstances in the previous week.
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It remained unclear if they would be replaced, as the U.S. Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees the courts and its roughly 700 judges, did not respond to requests for comment on February 15.
Immigration courts are backlogged with over 3.7 million cases, taking years to decide asylum cases.
Despite political support for more judges and support staff, the Trump administration previously pressured some judges to expedite cases.
Changes in leadership and policies
Earlier, the Trump administration replaced five top court officials, including the agency’s acting director, Mary Cheng.
The current leader, Sirce Owen, who was previously an appellate immigration judge, issued a series of new instructions, many reversing policies from the Biden administration.
Last month, the Justice Department halted financial support for NGOs providing guidance to people facing deportation but restored funding after a coalition of nonprofit groups filed a federal lawsuit.
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Union official’s remarks
The firings reflected two of Trump’s priorities: mass deportations and reducing the federal government’s size.
On February 13, agencies were ordered to lay off nearly all probationary employees lacking civil service protection, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.
Biggs, the union official, said he was unsure if the judges' firings were meant to send a message on immigration policy, characterizing them as part of a broader campaign across the federal workforce.
“They’re treating these people as if they’re not human beings,” he said. “It’s bad all around.”
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