Judge Kerry Doyle, a former immigration judge appointed during President Biden’s tenure, has spoken out following her sudden firing under the Trump administration.
Doyle was among more than 20 immigration judges removed from their positions last Friday without any explanation.
She received an email from the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) informing her that her retention was “not in the best interest of the agency.”
This news came as a shock, and Doyle shared her termination on LinkedIn, stating that she had tried to avoid drawing attention to herself during her tenure.
The Political Nature of the Firing
Doyle has since claimed that her dismissal was politically motivated.
She argued that all the judges who were fired had been appointed during the Biden administration, suggesting that the decision was tied to partisan interests.
She also noted that she had already been labeled a “target” in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) watchlist last year due to her progressive stance on immigration issues.
Critics had raised concerns about her commitment to “open borders” and mass migration, further fueling political tensions around her position.
Doyle’s Role in Immigration Enforcement
As the principal legal advisor for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Doyle had become a controversial figure.
She had issued a memo directing ICE to exercise prosecutorial discretion, dismissing older immigration cases involving non-violent offenders.
This move was seen as a way to conserve resources and ensure that ICE focused on more pressing threats to public safety.
However, critics argued that the decision to dismiss these cases, which affected over 350,000 immigrants, was a sign of leniency that undermined the enforcement of immigration laws.
Concerns Over the Impact of the Firings
The mass firing of immigration judges has raised concerns about the backlog of cases that have already plagued the immigration system for years.
Matthew Biggs, president of the Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, pointed out that a single judge typically handles hundreds of cases annually.
With fewer judges now in place, the system’s inefficiency will likely worsen, further delaying justice for many individuals awaiting rulings.
Doyle echoed these concerns, saying that the firings would put additional strain on the remaining judges, potentially prolonging cases even further.
The Timing of the Firings
The abrupt firings occurred just days after former President Trump ordered the dismissal of all remaining “Biden-era” U.S. Attorneys as part of an effort to “restore confidence” in the Department of Justice.
While it is unclear if there is any direct connection between the two actions, the timing has raised questions about the politicization of the immigration system.
Many see this as an attempt to reshape the judiciary to align more closely with Trump’s own political agenda.
A Look Back at Previous Judicial Firings
Although such firings are not unprecedented, the large-scale dismissal of immigration judges has stirred controversy.
In 2021, a similar move occurred when President Biden’s administration removed a judge appointed by Trump, although that firing was not perceived as politically charged.
Doyle herself acknowledged the potential reasoning behind this, stating that each president typically wants judges who align with their own vision for handling immigration matters.
The Future of the Immigration System
As the immigration court system faces mounting challenges, Doyle’s departure may only make things worse.
The firing of judges, especially in the middle of ongoing case reviews, is expected to add to the already significant workload of the remaining judges.
For Doyle, the impact of her removal is personal—she had been preparing to take over a colleague’s caseload, meaning those cases will now be delayed even further.
In conclusion, Doyle’s firing raises significant questions about the political influence on the immigration system and the potential consequences for the thousands of cases still waiting to be heard.
Whether or not the decision will ultimately strengthen or weaken the system remains to be seen.
However, it’s clear that the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy will continue to shape the court system’s future.
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