President Donald Trump’s administration has fired over 20 immigration lawyers appointed by President Joe Biden, sparking controversy and raising questions about the future of U.S. immigration policy.
At a Glance
- Trump administration fires over 20 Biden-appointed immigration lawyers
- Fired lawyers were responsible for judging asylum pleas and deciding on relief from immigration laws
- Move aligns with Trump’s priorities of mass deportations and reducing federal government size
- Immigration courts face a backlog of 3.7 million cases
- New instructions issued reversing many Biden administration policies
Trump Administration Cleans House in Immigration Courts
The Trump administration has fired more than 20 immigration lawyers appointed by President Joe Biden’s administration. These lawyers, who were hired to act as pro-migration judges in immigration courts, have been dismissed without explanation, according to union officials.
The Department of Justice, now led by Pam Bondi under Trump, has not responded to requests for comment on the firings. This action mirrors similar moves made by previous administrations, including Biden’s dismissal of some Trump-appointed lawyers and President Obama’s actions before him.
Political Motivations and Implications
Kerry Doyle, one of the fired lawyers, had previously directed officials to stop deportation cases against up to 300,000 migrants. Commenting on her dismissal, Doyle stated, “This firing was political.” Her sentiment echoes the concerns of many who view these actions as politically motivated rather than based on performance or qualifications.
“I can’t say I was surprised this happened. I was expecting it,” Kerry Doyle said.
The firings align with Trump’s campaign promises and priorities, which include implementing mass deportations and reducing the size of the federal government. This move has been criticized by union officials and immigration advocates who argue that it will further strain an already overburdened system.
Impact on Immigration Courts and Policies
The dismissal of these immigration lawyers comes at a time when immigration courts are facing a staggering backlog of 3.7 million cases. This massive caseload has been a point of concern for both sides of the political aisle, with bipartisan support for increasing the number of judges and support staff to address the issue.
“Nothing explains the huge discrepancy between judges in the same court who have wildly different asylum grant rates, it is incumbent upon the Trump administration to examine to see why this exists,” Andrew Arthur, a former immigration judge, said.
In addition to the firings, the Trump administration has replaced five top court officials, including the acting director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review. New instructions have been issued by Sirce Owen, effectively reversing many of the Biden administration’s policies. These changes are expected to significantly impact how immigration cases are handled and decided.
Broader Implications for Federal Workforce
The dismissal of these immigration lawyers appears to be part of a larger campaign affecting the federal workforce. Agencies have been ordered to lay off nearly all probationary employees, potentially impacting hundreds of thousands of workers across various departments.
“They’re treating these people as if they’re not human beings. It’s bad all around,” Matthew Biggs, a union official, said.
