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2.0

Justice Department fires dozens of Immigration Judges

  1. Original Date Announced

    February 15, 2025

    Politico reports that the Trump administration fired 20 immigration judges without explanation, despite immigration courts being backlogged with more than 3.7 million cases. Of the fired judges, 5 were assistant chief immigration judges, and at least 13 had not yet been sworn in yet. All were Biden appointees. Kerry Doyle, one of the judges who was dismissed on Friday, February 14, said that EOIR Acting Director sent her an email announcing her termination.

    Trump 2.0 [ID#1541]

    2024.02.15 The Hill - Justice Department fires 20 immigration judges 2025.02.15 Trump admin fires new immigration judges
  2. Effective Date

    February 14, 2025
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action

    April 22, 2025

    2025.04.22 Reported: Trump fires more immigration judges even as he aims to increase deportations - NPR

    NPR reports that at least eight immigration judges received notices that they would be put on leave and that their employment would be terminated on April 22. The judges were at the end of their two-year probationary period with EOIR, and were not given a reason for the terminations.

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  4. Subsequent Trump and Court Action

    July 15, 2025

    2025.07.15 Reported: More immigration judges are being fired amid Trump's efforts to speed up deportations - NPR

    NPR reports that the Department of Justice has informed another round of immigration judges that “they are being let go, adding to the growing list of immigration court personnel cut by President Trump.” In this latest round, the Department of Justice informed fifteen immigration judges on Friday, July 11, 2025, that “they would be put on leave and that their employment would terminate on July 22.” NPR reports that these judges “were at the end of their two-year probationary period with [EOIR],” and were not given a reason for their termination.

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Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Agencies Affected: EOIR

Associated or Derivative Policies

Commentary

  • 2025.03.28 Letter from House and Senate Democrats to Attorney General re: IJ Firings

    66 House and Senate Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General Bondi to express their concerns regarding EOIR's firings of immigration judges and indications of plans to fire even more. The letter highlights the resource gaps left by the firings, the lack of notice and justification provided, and how the firings further stress the immigration courts.

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  • 2025.07.03 Letter from Senators Warren and Markey re: IJ Firings

    Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey sent a letter to the EOIR Acting Director about the immigration court layoffs in April. The letter expresses concern that EOIR acting for "politically motivated reasons," noting that while “those who had backgrounds working in immigration enforcement were converted [to permanent positions], . . . those who previously worked in other parts of government, nonprofits, or private practice were not.”

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