Dismissed Immigration Judge Criticizes Trump’s Influence on Justice System

Dismissed Immigration Judge Criticizes Trump’s Influence on Justice System

An immigration judge appointed during the Biden administration has publicly expressed her disappointment following her dismissal by former President Donald Trump. Judge Kerry Doyle, recently terminated alongside over 20 other immigration judges, claims the decision was politically motivated.

In an interview with WGBH, Doyle stated, “It was political.” Her termination came through an email from the Executive Office of Immigration Review, which indicated the agency deemed it was “not in the best interest of the agency” to retain her position.

Unlike federal judges who enjoy lifetime appointments secured by nomination and Senate confirmation, administrative judges like Doyle operate without similar protections against termination.

Concerns About Trust in Immigration System

Doyle believes that Trump’s actions will significantly undermine public trust in the immigration system. In her discussion with WGBH, she argued, “If you start making it political, it really does blow the system up and blow up people’s faith in the system.” Doyle previously took part in a court challenge against Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban targeting individuals from several predominantly Muslim countries. She emphasized, “None of us were there to drive a political agenda. We were there to do our jobs.”

The judge pointed out that many immigration judges in the Boston area have served under various administrations, maintaining a nonpartisan stance. She stated, “It would be problematic for it to be political because what civil servants do is they serve the public – we swear an oath to the Constitution.”

Impact on Immigration Case Backlog

The recent wave of firings raises significant concerns about the backlog of immigration cases, which is already daunting. President Matthew Biggs of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers highlighted a stark reality: a single immigration judge typically handles between 500 to 700 cases annually. The firings could exacerbate an already overloaded system.

In Massachusetts alone, there exists an alarming backlog of approximately 160,000 immigration cases. Doyle was preparing to take on cases from a departing colleague, thereby extending timelines for many pending cases. She noted, “Those cases will have to be handed out to all the other judges. So it’s going to be even more work for them. They need every judge, every person available. And so it will just make the court more congested. Folks are working very hard already.”

Hypocrisy in Policy Execution

Biggs described the situation as hypocritical, stating, “Look up the definition of ‘hypocrisy.’ It’s when someone says one thing but does another. The firing of immigration judges when we need more judges to enforce our immigration laws by this administration is a perfect example of hypocrisy.”

Doyle’s experience underscores the operational challenges faced by immigration courts. The recent firings are not unprecedented, as past administrations have also dismissed judges to align the court’s direction with their political ideologies. For example, in 2021, shortly after Biden took office, Judge Marna Rusher, appointed by Trump, was also let go.

Political Dynamics in Judicial Appointments

While past firings frequently occurred, Doyle noted that she was less concerned about Biden’s decision compared to Trump’s actions. She suggested Biden’s decisions seemed less politically motivated, stating, “Maybe it’s just that each president wants to have his imprimatur and people who will follow his agenda. I don’t know. I don’t think that I would call that politically motivated in as much as they think they have a better idea for America and fairly treating people that come across the border.”

The ongoing developments surrounding these firings not only fuel discussions about political interference in judicial appointments but also spotlight the pressing issues pertaining to immigration policy and its execution.

A Call for Integrity in the Immigration System

The swift changes in the composition of immigration judges can be seen as a troubling trend that compromises the integrity of the judiciary. Doyle’s commentary reflects a broader concern that the system should operate independently of political influence, with a focus on fairness and the rule of law. The ramifications of such decisions will undoubtedly influence public perception and trust in an already beleaguered immigration system.