Trump Administration Dismisses Dozens of Immigration Judges Amid Major Court Overhaul

The Trump administration has begun a sweeping shake-up within the federal immigration court system, quietly dismissing dozens of judges as part of a larger effort to overhaul what officials describe as a “dysfunctional and overly politicized” system.

According to a report from El País, around 50 immigration judges have been removed from their positions since the beginning of August, while another 50 have reportedly been transferred or encouraged to retire. The move follows a White House directive to streamline immigration proceedings and reduce the record 3 million-case backlog that has built up over recent years.

The dismissals were delivered through short, formal notices—typically brief emails informing judges that their service was no longer required. No public announcement was made, but the message was clear: the administration is determined to reshape the immigration judiciary.

A System Under Scrutiny

President Donald Trump has long criticized what he calls “activist judges” who he believes have hindered immigration enforcement through lenient rulings. The latest actions appear to be a direct response to those frustrations, signaling a new phase of the administration’s broader effort to restore control and consistency to the system.

Some of the dismissed judges have gone public, claiming they were targeted for their prior rulings or political leanings. Among them is Jennifer Peyton, appointed during the Obama administration in 2016. She said she received her dismissal notice while on vacation, with no prior warning or disciplinary record.

“I was shocked,” Peyton said, alleging that her removal may have been politically motivated. She suggested that conservative groups had pressured the administration to remove her after she gave a courthouse tour to Democratic Senator Dick Durbin.

Sen. Durbin, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, called Peyton’s removal an “abuse of power,” accusing the administration of attempting to intimidate the judiciary.

However, supporters of the shake-up argue the opposite—saying the move represents an overdue accountability effort within a system that has long operated without sufficient oversight.

Union Pushback and Claims of Discrimination

The National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), which represents immigration judges nationwide, confirmed that roughly 50 judges have been dismissed so far. Its president, Matt Biggs, said the remaining judges are “deeply concerned” about the direction the administration is taking.

“Morale is low, and there’s a sense of fear,” Biggs told reporters. “Judges are uncertain whether their decisions will be second-guessed by political officials.”

Some judges have also claimed that the dismissals were discriminatory. Carla Espinoza, who served as a short-term immigration judge in Chicago, said her contract was not renewed because of her gender and Hispanic background.

Espinoza’s case, however, has drawn scrutiny. She reportedly dismissed charges against a Mexican national who had been flagged by Homeland Security after being falsely accused of threatening the president. Espinoza later described her ruling as “fair and justified,” but critics within DHS say it exemplified the kind of decision-making that has frustrated federal authorities.

Restructuring and the Bigger Picture

Administration officials maintain that the dismissals are not politically motivated, but rather part of a broad restructuring of the immigration courts.

“This isn’t about punishing anyone—it’s about performance, efficiency, and restoring faith in the system,” a senior DHS official said on background. “For too long, certain judges have ignored enforcement priorities and created unnecessary backlogs. That’s changing.”

The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which oversees the nation’s immigration courts, has been directed to conduct a full review of judicial caseloads, case outcomes, and performance metrics. Officials say the goal is to identify bottlenecks and improve consistency across regions.

At the same time, the White House has reportedly begun recruiting new judges with backgrounds in law enforcement, national security, and immigration prosecution—part of an effort to align judicial leadership with the administration’s enforcement agenda.

Critics Call It Political Retaliation

Legal analysts and civil rights groups have sharply criticized the move, describing it as an unprecedented attempt to politicize the judiciary.

“This is a dangerous precedent,” said Julia Hernandez, a senior attorney with the American Immigration Council. “Firing judges because their rulings don’t align with political goals undermines judicial independence and erodes the rule of law.”

Democratic lawmakers have echoed that concern, accusing the administration of using dismissals to send a message to remaining judges.

Still, administration allies insist the actions are necessary. “This isn’t a purge—it’s reform,” said one senior aide to the president. “The American people are tired of seeing immigration laws ignored. The system is finally being held accountable.”

A Long Road Ahead

With more than three million pending cases still clogging the system, the immigration courts face a monumental challenge. While the recent dismissals may speed up some proceedings, experts warn that the short-term disruption could create confusion and delays as new judges are appointed and reassigned.

For now, the administration appears undeterred. President Trump has made immigration enforcement a central pillar of his second term, framing the issue as a matter of national security and sovereignty.

“The days of activist judges standing in the way of border enforcement are over,” one White House official said. “We’re restoring fairness, consistency, and respect for the law.”

Whether the shake-up succeeds in achieving that goal—or sparks further controversy—remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the immigration courts, long viewed as insulated from political upheaval, are now at the center of one of Washington’s most consequential power struggles.

Bomb factory explosion in Tennessee leaves multiple people dead and 19 missing

A powerful explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems, a military munitions facility in McEwen, Tennessee, has resulted in several fatalities and left 19 individuals unaccounted for. The blast occurred around midday on October 10 and sent shockwaves across Humphreys County, with reports of homes shaking up to 15 miles away. Emergency services responded quickly but were initially held back due to ongoing smaller detonations at the site.

The facility, consisting of eight buildings, manufactures and tests explosives for military purposes. Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed the seriousness of the incident, stating that multiple individuals are still missing and that families are being notified. While the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, the situation remains fluid as emergency crews work cautiously in hazardous conditions.

Eyewitnesses described a massive boom, followed by heavy black smoke and visible flames rising above the tree line. Nearby residents, like Gentry Stover, reported feeling their homes tremble, initially fearing structural collapse. Aerial footage showed significant damage to the facility, including destroyed vehicles and debris scattered across the site.

David Stewart, an advanced EMT, confirmed that first responders were initially unable to access the area safely. Despite this, authorities have since gained partial control, though smaller explosions continued for hours afterward. Officials now believe the threat of a large-scale secondary blast has diminished.

Mayor Brad Rachford described the event as a tragedy but refrained from further comment. Local news outlets reported that emergency services received dozens of calls from across the region, including from residents as far as Dickson, who also felt the explosion.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Department of Health are working together to confirm casualty figures and investigate the cause. Accurate Energetic Systems has not released a statement, and law enforcement continues to restrict access to the area for safety.