Nearly 100 immigration judges fired in 2025, with experienced professionals replaced by inexperienced loyalists. Courts starting 2026 with fewer than half the judges from a year ago.
Nearly 100 Immigration Judges Fired in 2025 as Courts Start 2026 With Fewer Than Half the Judges of a Year Ago
Key Facts7
- 01Nearly 100 immigration judges fired in 2025
- 02At least 19 experienced judges who had been with agency for years terminated
- 03Union estimated over 100 judges have either been fired or resigned
- 04Courts starting 2026 with fewer than half the judges from a year ago
- 05Trump administration hiring inexperienced immigration judges to replace experienced professionals
- 06San Francisco immigration court being shuttered
- 07Immigration courts facing massive backlog with fewer experienced judges
Sources3
Verified across 3 sources
—News Reports
NPR: The Trump administration fired nearly 100 immigration judges in 2025. What's next?→Federal News Network: Supreme Court weighs Trump's bid to fire independent agency board members→Grabien: Justice Jackson warns Trump replacing scientists, doctors with 'loyalists' not in Americans' best interest→