Seventeen immigration court judges were dismissed in recent days, according to the union representing them, as the Donald Trump administration intensifies deportations. The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers reported that 15 judges were fired Friday and two more on Monday, with terminations spanning 10 states including Texas, California, and Illinois.
Union President Matt Biggs criticized the move as “outrageous,” especially as new funding aims to boost the number of immigration judges to 800. Courts are currently handling a backlog of 3.5 million cases, with wait times stretching years. The firings, Biggs said, will slow the system further.
The Department of Justice, which oversees immigration courts, declined to comment. Critics allege the terminations are politically motivated. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said one judge was fired shortly after speaking with him during a court visit, calling it “an abuse of power.”
Immigration judges have recently faced increased ICE enforcement activity inside court facilities. Officers have arrested immigrants immediately after proceedings are dismissed, accelerating removals.
Since Trump took office, over 100 judges have left or been fired, the union said—many under pressure from early administration offers to step down.
Sources:
Associated Press – MBFC Rating
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