Immigration judge Kerry Doyle, appointed by former President Joe Biden, was recently fired by President Donald Trump along with over 20 other immigration judges without explanation. Administrative judges like Doyle do not have the same protection from firing as federal judges, leading to concerns about the politicization of the immigration system. Doyle expressed her belief that Trump’s decision to fire the judges will undermine faith in the nation’s immigration system. She emphasized that judges appointed to these roles do not act in a partisan manner, highlighting the importance of serving the public and swearing an oath to the Constitution.
The recent firings of immigration judges have raised concerns about the impact on the already large backlog of immigration cases. The International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers President Matthew Biggs pointed out that a single judge can rule on 500 to 700 cases per year. With Massachusetts alone having a backlog of about 160,000 cases, the firing of judges like Doyle could lead to further delays in clearing these cases. This could result in other judges having to take on additional cases, making the court even more congested and adding to their already heavy workload.
The firing of immigration judges by the Trump administration has been criticized as hypocritical, particularly at a time when more judges are needed to enforce immigration laws. The notion of hypocrisy is highlighted by the fact that the administration is taking action that seems contradictory to the need for more judges to address the backlog of cases. The firing of judges is seen as counterproductive to the goal of effectively and efficiently processing immigration cases, and may impede the administration’s ability to effectively enforce immigration laws and treat people crossing the border fairly.
The recent firings are not unprecedented, as previous administrations have also fired judges appointed by their predecessors. In 2021, judge Marna Rusher, appointed by Trump, was fired shortly after Biden took office. Doyle acknowledged that it is not uncommon for new presidents to want judges who will follow their agenda, but she viewed Biden’s decision as less politically motivated compared to Trump’s firing of judges. She suggested that each president may have different ideas about how best to handle immigration cases and treat individuals crossing the border, leading to changes in the composition of immigration judges based on their priorities and policies.
The impact of the recent firings of immigration judges is likely to be felt in the Boston area, where the court is already facing challenges in processing a large number of cases. The firing of judges like Doyle could further strain the system and result in delays for individuals awaiting resolution of their immigration cases. The politicization of the immigration system and the implications of these firings on the court’s ability to function effectively and fairly are raising concerns among legal professionals and advocates. The need for a stable and experienced judiciary in the immigration system is crucial for ensuring that cases are processed efficiently and in accordance with the law.
