DOJ Plans to Remove Slow Immigration Judges Amid 3.7M Backlog

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Wednesday that the Justice Department plans to remove immigration judges who rule too slowly or fail to follow the law, as part of efforts to address a backlog of 3.7 million cases amid the Trump administration's push for faster deportations.

Blanche made the remarks after speaking at the Border Security Expo in Phoenix, an annual event attended by immigration officials, law enforcement and government contractors. He has led the Justice Department since Pam Bondi left the position last month. His comments provided the most detailed public update on changes to the immigration court system since he took over.

Immigration courts fall under the Justice Department, unlike federal courts with lifetime-appointed judges and strict procedural rules. The attorney general has broader authority to dismiss immigration judges. Blanche emphasized adherence to legal standards, stating, "You take an oath and you're not allowed to make decisions based upon what appear to be just sympathy or your whim." He added, "If there's judges that are just not applying the law in the way that it needs to be applied, delaying inappropriately, have backlogs that...