Trump Administration Fires Over 50 Federal Immigration Judges

The Donald Trump administration has fired more than 50 federal immigration judges since January, contributing to a total loss of 106 judges through dismissals, resignations, retirements, and transfers. The terminations, often delivered via brief emails without provided reasons, occur as the immigration system faces a backlog of 3.5 million cases and an intensified deportation campaign.

Dismissed officials, including former assistant chief judge Jennifer Peyton and judge Carla Espinoza, are pursuing legal action through the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They allege unlawful terminations based on gender and ethnic discrimination, associations with Democratic officials, and inclusion on conservative watchdog lists. Judge Espinoza specifically claims her firing may be retaliation for releasing a Mexican immigrant who had been falsely accused by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of threatening to assassinate the president.

Former Justice Department lawyer Erez Reuveni and other former judges allege the dismissals are arbitrary political attacks designed to purge officials who resist pressure to expedite deportations or ignore judicial blocks on deportation flights. Reuveni further claims that Department of Justice officials, including federal appeals judge Emil Bove, manipulated judicial processes. The Executive Office for Immigration Review has declined to comment on the terminations.