The Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) layoffs are causing immigration backlog crisis, according to a former Immigration judge
Unemployed former immigration judge claims the Department of Government Efficiency has caused a significant immigration backlog to worsen by suddenly dismissing many immigration judges. In a similar fashion to previous Trump Administration actions, the layoffs have brought back concerns regarding due process and efficiency in immigration courts.
The former immigration judge who wishes to remain unnamed for fear of reprisals said that the DOGE was led by Elon Musk, and focused on cutting federal spending. They terminated about 20 immigration judges at the Executive Office for Immigration Review under the Department of Justice. This is seen by many as a counterproductive move, especially given the backlog already crippled of immigration cases.
**Immigration Court Backlog Swells Amidst Judge Layoffs**
According to data from Syracuse University’s Transactional Record Access Clearinghouse, the backlog in immigration court has exceeded 3.7 millions cases. Many asylum seekers are forced to wait years for their case to be decided. Across the political spectrum, experts and advocates have repeatedly urged for an increase in the number of immigration courts and support staff.
He noted that immigration judges are under constant pressure to hear deportation proceedings. “We sit on the bench all day long,” he said. The time is so limited that it’s hard to even write down decisions. It’s impossible to pass on the schedules of my 5,000 cases. It is inefficient. You’re investing years in someone’s case. The wait will be much longer. The money spent hiring people and firing them quickly was a big waste.
Around 700 immigration judges manage around 3.5 millions pending cases of deportation across 71 courts in the United States. They handle between 40-50 calls for status in the morning and one to two final trials the following afternoon. These workloads do not include motions, or any other vital matters that need their attention and decisions.
**Abrupt Termination and Lack of Transparency**
Former judge called her dismissal abrupt, without any warning or explanation. Her supervisor, who appeared visibly upset at the news of her termination, informed her via email. The director did not provide any official documentation or explanations for her dismissal.
My family was extremely proud. The honor of being there was great. This is a big blow. The former immigration judge said, “I had worked hard to achieve my goal of becoming an immigration court judge.” “I was stunned because I did not have notice and I asked him, Do you know why?” He said that I had not been given any reason. And he told me, ‘You’re one of my best judges here. This isn’t performance.
Former judge described being escorted immediately out of the building, without having received termination forms and clear information about her benefits including insurance coverage for her kids. She has not received a reply despite repeated attempts to reach HR or file requests for public records.
**Political Motivations and Concerns for Due Process**
Former judge, she believes, the dismissals are political motivated. They were designed to give the false impression of government improvement, in order to appear tougher on immigration. The dismissals are detrimental for both affected employees and to the efficiency of immigration. Further, terminations can make it difficult for employees to receive unemployment benefits.
This is not going to benefit anyone. Our morale is affected. She said, “It’s bad for the effectiveness of the way the government runs.” She said, “I’m not able to collect unemployment due to the fact that I’m missing certain forms.” It’s a big blow for me and my entire family. She added, “I believe that it was done in order to gain a Twitter soundbite.”
She expressed her concern about the shift in emphasis from fair hearings to merely expediting deportations. “Our duty is to ensure that there is a fair and full hearing, and that due-process rights are protected. That’s not the aim anymore, I think. Right? I’m not sure that is the ultimate goal. If you remove the judges then what is it worth? You could simply deport them.”
**Legal Experts Warn of Deepening Immigration Crisis**
Experts in immigration law echo the concerns of the judge, and warn that the backlog is likely to continue growing unless additional judges are hired or reinstated. The immigration backlog will continue to grow, say legal experts, and many people who are seeking legal status or asylum may be left waiting for months. This highlights the importance of having fair legal representation in this process. It not only causes chaos in people’s lives, but also increases the cost of legal support for undocumented immigrants.