A Big Boost for Immigration Judges Under Trump

In the biggest hiring push for immigration judges in history, 82 new judges started work this week. Most are permanent, while five will serve short terms. They join nearly 700 judges across the country, filling spots left empty after over 100 judges lost their jobs under the Trump administration. Since Trump returned to office in early 2025, his team has replaced many judges with ones who have backgrounds in law enforcement or border control. The new hires follow a pattern—many worked in criminal cases or immigration enforcement before. Temporary judges, including military lawyers, will serve for up to six months to help clear backlogs.The Justice Department claims this hiring spree will speed up the system. They say the number of pending cases has dropped from about 4 million to under 3. 53 million since Trump took charge. But critics question whether faster rulings mean fairer ones. Immigration judges work for the Justice Department, not the federal court system, which some argue could influence their decisions. Others worry about the long-term stability of the system. With judges frequently leaving—whether fired, retiring, or taking buyouts—the courts face constant turnover. The government insists it’s improving efficiency, but the rapid changes raise concerns about consistency in how cases are handled.