Summary
More immigration judges were let go as part of efforts to speed up deportations in the United States. Thirty-one judges, including those recently fired, were not given reasons for their dismissal. This comes as the federal government tries to deal with a large backlog of immigration cases.
Key Facts
- Sixteen immigration judges were notified they would lose their jobs on July 22.
- These judges worked in states like Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, New York, and California.
- Many judges were at the end of their two-year probationary period with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
- The firings occurred after Congress allocated more than $3 billion for immigration activities, including hiring more judges.
- There is a backlog of nearly 4 million immigration cases in the U.S.
- Recently, EOIR has pushed judges to manage cases faster and give verbal decisions.
- Some judges have resigned voluntarily as part of a program to reduce the federal workforce.
- Two Massachusetts Senators raised concerns about previous judge firings.
