DOGE Has Added Years to Immigration Backlog, Says Fired Judge

A Former Immigration Judge Speaks Out on the Growing Backlog Crisis

A former federal immigration judge, who was recently laid off without notice, has raised alarms about the worsening immigration backlog in the U.S. courts. Speaking to Newsweek on the condition of anonymity due to ongoing legal appeals, the judge revealed that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by President Donald Trump’s ally Elon Musk, has exacerbated the crisis by firing dozens of immigration judges. The firings, she said, have added years to the already overwhelming delays in asylum cases, with some hearings now postponed until 2028. The judge emphasized that the decision to remove judges from the courtroom has been deeply counterproductive, pushing the system further into chaos.

The former judge, who described her termination as a "huge blow" to her career and family, explained that her caseload of over 5,000 asylum cases is now being redistributed among fewer judges. "I already had a backlog where I was filled for 2027. So my hearing dates are probably going to go back to 2028, and then you have to take all those cases and add them to the other judges. I mean, you’re looking at years of delay of cases because you’re removing judges from the courtroom," she said. The judge also criticized the inefficiency of the firings, noting that the money spent on hiring and training staff has been wasted due to their abrupt termination.

The Impact of Firings on Immigration Courts

The former judge’s account highlights the broader consequences of DOGE’s actions on the immigration court system. Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) reports that the backlog in immigration courts now exceeds 3.7 million cases, with asylum-seekers often waiting years for a decision. Immigration judges are overburdened, handling up to 50 status calls and 2 final trials daily, in addition to reviewing motions and writing decisions. Legal experts agree that firing immigration judges only makes the problem worse.

Amelia Wilson, a law professor at Pace University Law School, told Newsweek that "there is no scenario where firing immigration judges will decrease the immigration court backlog." On the contrary, she warned, removing 20 judges in one stroke has an immediate and damaging impact on the system’s efficiency. With roughly 700 judges handling over 3.5 million deportation cases across 71 courts nationwide, the loss of even a few judges creates a ripple effect that deepens the crisis.

The former judge described the daily challenges of being an immigration judge, stating, "We’re on the bench nonstop. It’s even hard to find time to write decisions." She stressed that the decision to fire judges like her will have long-term consequences, forcing migrants to wait even longer for resolutions to their cases. "You’re putting years into somebody’s case now. They’re going to be waiting a lot longer," she said. For many asylum-seekers, this means prolonged uncertainty about their future, leaving them in legal limbo for years.

A Sudden and Distressing Termination

The former judge also shared details about the abrupt nature of her termination, which she described as "shocking" and "distressing." She recalled that her supervisor, who appeared visibly upset, informed her that her employment had been abruptly ended via an email from the director. She received no prior notice, explanation, or official termination paperwork. "I was shocked because I didn’t have any notice, and I had asked him, do you know why? And he said, no, I was not given a reason. And he told me, You’re one of my best judges here. It is not performance," she said.

The judge, who had devoted her career to upholding due process in immigration cases, expressed her deep disappointment and sense of betrayal. "My family was very proud. And it was very much an honor to be there. So it’s a huge blow. Everything that I had led up to was to become an immigration judge," she said. The termination process was also marked by confusion and lack of support. She was escorted out of the building without receiving termination forms or clarity about her benefits, leaving her worried about her family’s health insurance and financial stability. Despite multiple attempts to contact HR and file public records requests, she has yet to receive a response.

The Broader Consequences for Asylum-Seekers and Due Process

The former judge fears that the firings of immigration judges are part of a larger effort to undermine the integrity of the immigration court system. "Our job is to make sure there’s a full and fair hearing and that due process rights are protected. But I don’t think that that’s the goal anymore. I think the goal is to not have that, right? So if you eliminate the judges, so what? You could just deport the people," she said. This perspective is echoed by legal experts, who warn that the reduction in judges will only exacerbate the suffering of asylum-seekers and their families, many of whom have already endured years of uncertainty.

As the immigration crisis deepens, the former judge and legal experts are calling for urgent action to address the backlog. They argue that hiring or reinstating more judges is essential to restoring the efficiency and fairness of the system. Without such measures, the backlog will continue to grow, leaving millions of people in legal limbo and undermining the principles of justice and due process that are foundational to the U.S. legal system.

Political Motivations and the Human Cost of Firings

The former judge believes that the recent round of terminations was politically