Overview

• Since July 11, the Justice Department has dismissed 17 immigration judges in ten states, reducing the bench from roughly 700 to about 600.
• The cuts coincide with a record backlog nearing 3.7 million pending cases and average wait times exceeding 400 days in some jurisdictions.
• Congress has approved a $3.3 billion infusion to expand the bench to 800 judges, but the union says lengthy recruitment will stall any relief.
• All 17 judges were terminated “without cause” during or shortly after their two-year probationary period, prompting allegations of politically motivated purges.
• The Executive Office for Immigration Review declined to comment on the dismissals and senators have warned the firings will erode judicial independence.