Key facts
- UN experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council are concerned about the removal of over 100 immigration judges.
- The experts stated these removals undermine the independence of immigration courts and the broader U.S. justice system.
- The panel called for the administration to cease what it described as "mass arbitrary removal" and the politicization of immigration courts.
- Concerns exist that judges may be targeted based on perceived political affiliation, professional background, or adjudicative record.
- The White House is reportedly transforming the immigration court system into an instrument for implementing deportation objectives.
- The American Immigration Lawyers Association reported over 100 judges have been fired or pushed out since January 2025.
A panel of independent experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council has expressed concern over the Trump administration's removal of more than 100 immigration judges, stating it undermines the independence of the courts and the U.S. justice system. The experts described the actions as "mass arbitrary removal" and called for an end to the politicization of immigration courts.
The panel indicated that judges might be targeted based on their perceived political affiliation, professional background, or adjudicative record. They warned that these removals have immediate and severe consequences, transforming the immigration court system from a forum for independent adjudication into an instrument for implementing deportation objectives.
According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, over 100 immigration judges out of approximately 700 have been fired or pushed out since January 2025. The association noted that these departures have reduced the number of judges available to handle a surge in cases as the administration increases arrests and deportations. Several former immigration judges have filed lawsuits against the Justice Department for wrongful termination.