Attorney General Todd Blanche is seeking to dismiss lawsuits filed by two former immigration judges who allege they were fired for discriminatory reasons.
The Justice Department argues that the complaints from judges Carla Espinoza and Kyra Lilien lack legal merit and maintains that immigration judges are executive officers who can be removed without cause by the attorney general.
Blanche has defended the personnel changes, arguing that they are necessary to improve efficiency within the immigration court system. He has also rejected criticism of new judicial appointments, saying the department maintains a rigorous hiring process.
The lawsuits come as the Trump administration seeks to overhaul the immigration courts and accelerate case processing. The dismissals and broader restructuring have drawn criticism from immigration advocates, who accuse the Justice Department of using its authority to reshape the judiciary for political purposes.
The courts will now determine whether the fired judges' discrimination claims can proceed.
Related Tweet:
Department of Justice attorneys filed motions to dismiss lawsuits brought by two of the fired judges, arguing they lack merit. https://t.co/TcnB5qc00X
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) August 27, 2026
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