Trump administration fires immigration judges, even as it seeks to hire more of them

"is an illogical and costly setback for the nation's immigration courts."

"At a time when the backlog has reached historic levels and the administration has made immigration enforcement a central issue, the removal of experienced judges is hypocritical, undermines the law, wastes taxpayer dollars and further delays justice for citizens and immigrants alike,"

Nearly 20 immigration judges were dismissed this month, following more than 80 earlier in the year, producing a loss of over 125 judges in nine months when combined with resignations. The Department of Justice seeks to add judges by filling positions with up to 600 military attorneys to address a nearly 4 million-case backlog. Matt Biggs, president of the union representing immigration judges, called the removals an illogical and costly setback and said the removals undermine the law, waste taxpayer dollars and further delay justice. San Francisco courts lost seven judges, about one-third of its bench, where relief is granted in roughly 71% of cases.

Read at ABA Journal