On Monday (December 1), the Trump administration fired eight immigration judges working at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City. According to the National Association of Immigration Judges, this move came after a former Ohio immigration judge, Tania Nemer, filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, claiming unlawful discrimination. Nemer, who was dismissed during her probationary period, alleges she was fired due to her gender, dual citizenship with Lebanon, and previous candidacy for local office as a Democrat.
Nemer’s lawsuit argues that her termination was not based on her qualifications but was instead a rushed decision by the administration to target certain civil servants. The Department of Justice, however, maintains that the Trump administration has the right to dismiss employees as part of a “lawful exercise” of authority. Nemer’s case is one of many, as over 100 immigration judges have either resigned or been let go under the Department of Government Efficiency’s initiatives.
Despite a significant backlog of over 3.7 million immigration cases, the administration continues to reduce the number of judges. The Department of Homeland Security is actively hiring “deportation judges,” offering potential remote work positions with salaries ranging from $159,951 to $207,500. Nemer’s lawsuit seeks a declaration that her rights were violated, reinstatement, and compensatory damages.
The recent firings have drawn criticism from immigrant advocates, who argue that experienced judges are being dismissed at a time when the immigration system is already under strain. The Trump administration’s actions are expected to face further legal challenges as the case progresses.
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