Trump Fires Immigration Judges in Mass Purge

President Donald Trump has dismissed nearly a fifth of the immigration judges at New York Citys 26 Federal Plaza, a central hub for migrant detentions. On Monday, eight out of 42 judges were removed, according to The New York Times. Nationwide, more than 100 of the 700 immigration judges have either been fired or pressured to leave this year, Reuters reported.

For months, 26 Federal Plaza has seen chaotic and sometimes violent arrests, with masked federal agents detaining individuals attending routine check-ins. Sources told The Times that the recent firings may have been intended to extend this climate of fear into courtrooms, pressuring judges to adopt stricter stances against immigrants appearing before them.

In June, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the same location.

The court has been basically eviscerated, said former judge Olivia Cassin, who previously worked at a different New York courthouse. It feels like a Monday afternoon massacre. Cassin had served as an immigration judge for over ten years before her termination in November.

The Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, which oversees the federal immigration court system, employs immigration judges as civil servants. Of the judges removed, 36 have already been replaced. The Department has not offered explanations for the dismissals, though many of the ousted judges believe they were targeted for being too lenient. An NPR investigation last month found that most of those fired had, at some point, defended immigrants.

Newly appointed judges often lack experience in defending immigrants, with backgrounds in immigration enforcement, the military, and federal service, according to NPR. Some judges were abruptly dismissed during hearings and were required to leave immediately, sources reported.

On Monday, former immigration judge Tania Nemer, fired in February, filed a lawsuit claiming her termination violated the Constitution and Title VIIs prohibition of discrimination in the federal workforce. Her suit alleges she was targeted for being a woman, a dual U.S.-Lebanon citizen, and a former Democratic candidate. Previously, the DOJs equal employment opportunity office stated that Title VII did not protect immigration judges from at-will removal under Trump. The Daily Beast has requested a comment from the DOJ.

Author: Sophia Brooks