Instant Insight
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- 15 more immigration judges fired July 14 amid President Trump’s deportation push
- Total firings now exceed 60 since February, despite 3.7M case backlog
- Contradicts Congress’ $3B DOJ funding to hire judges
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Quick Brief
2-Minute Digest
Essential Context
The President Trump’s administration has fired over 60 immigration judges since February 2025, including 15 terminated July 14, despite a record 3.7 million pending cases. These cuts contradict Congress’ recent $3 billion allocation to the Department of Justice for hiring immigration court staff.
Core Players
- Donald Trump – President, pushing aggressive deportation agenda
- Sirce Owen – EOIR Acting Director overseeing firings
- International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers – Judges’ union
- Kerry E. Doyle – Fired judge criticizing EOIR’s contradictory actions
Key Numbers
- 3.7M – Pending immigration cases (highest ever)
- $3B – Congress’ DOJ funding for hiring judges
- 60+ – Judges fired since February 2025
- 15 – Judges terminated July 14
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The Catalyst
“This firing occurred despite the fact that the Immigration Court currently has in the neighborhood of 3.5 MILLION pending cases,” wrote fired judge Kerry E. Doyle in a LinkedIn post. Her termination came as the administration seeks to accelerate deportations.
Recent firings follow a February DOJ memo questioning the legality of Biden-era judge dismissals, potentially paving the way for rehiring President Trump-aligned judges like Matthew O’Brien.
Inside Forces
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has terminated judges without explanation, including entire classes of newly appointed officials. This contradicts its own requests for congressional funding to address staffing shortages.
Union leaders call the firings hypocritical, noting judges handle up to 700 cases annually. “You’re losing that kind of skill set,” said IFPTE president Matthew Biggs.
Power Dynamics
President Trump’s administration has centralized control over immigration courts, dismissing career judges and replacing them with appointees aligned with stricter enforcement policies. This includes rehiring judges previously fired under Biden.
Critics argue these moves prioritize political loyalty over judicial independence, risking due process for immigrants facing deportation.
Outside Impact
Advocacy groups warn the firings will worsen case delays, leaving vulnerable immigrants in legal limbo. “It makes no sense to fire judges when you’re trying to clear a backlog,” said Biggs.
Legal experts predict increased deportations but question the long-term effectiveness of understaffed courts handling complex cases.
Future Forces
Key developments to watch:
- Potential rehiring of President Trump-aligned judges
- Congressional response to EOIR’s contradictory actions
- Impact on deportation rates and case processing times
- Legal challenges to the firings
Data Points
- Feb 2025: 20 judges fired, including 5 assistant chiefs
- Mar 2025: 29 judges terminated, 5 in Texas
- Jun 2025: DOJ memo questions Biden-era firings
- Jul 14, 2025: 15 judges terminated
- 3.7M: Pending cases (EOIR)
The administration’s strategy of firing judges while seeking to accelerate deportations creates a paradoxical challenge for immigration courts. With staffing cuts and record caseloads, the system faces unprecedented strain that could delay – rather than expedite – immigration proceedings.
