Congressman Slams Trump for 'Cruel' Firing of Immigration Judges

Rep. Dan Goldman says the president has already dismissed over 100 judges who didn't align with his administration's agenda.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:36am

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A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty courtroom with a lone judge's chair and podium, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the erosion of due process in the immigration courts.The dismissal of immigration judges who don't align with the administration's agenda has undermined the integrity of the court system.Boston Today

A Democratic Congressman has accused former President Donald Trump of 'purging' immigration judges who did not rule in favor of the government, leading to the dismissal of over 100 judges. Rep. Dan Goldman said the Trump administration has been stacking the immigration courts with former prosecutors and military lawyers to push its 'cruel, inhumane mass deportation agenda'.

Why it matters

The firing of immigration judges without due process raises concerns about the independence and fairness of the immigration court system, which is controlled by the Department of Justice under the president's authority. Critics say this undermines the rule of law and access to justice for immigrants.

The details

Judges Roopal Patel and Nina Froes were fired on Friday after previously blocking the deportation of international students Rumeysa Ozturk and Mohsen Mahdawi. Four of their colleagues were also fired last week. The union representing the judges said the dismissals occurred 'without due process, cause or explanation'. Froes said she could not be certain her position would have remained secure if she had ruled against Mahdawi.

  • On Friday, Judges Roopal Patel and Nina Froes were fired.
  • Last week, four of Patel and Froes' colleagues were also fired.

The players

Rep. Dan Goldman

A Democratic Congressman for New York's 10th District in the House of Representatives who has introduced the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act to overhaul the immigration court system.

Roopal Patel

An immigration judge who was fired by the Trump administration.

Nina Froes

An immigration judge who was fired by the Trump administration.

Rumeysa Ozturk

An international student who was arrested by ICE agents last year in a raid on students who had supported Palestinian causes or been part of protests the Trump administration saw as antisemitic.

Mohsen Mahdawi

An international student who was arrested by ICE agents last year in a raid on students who had supported Palestinian causes or been part of protests the Trump administration saw as antisemitic.

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What they’re saying

“Donald Trump is purging immigration judges who aren't rubber stamps for his cruel, inhumane mass deportation agenda.”

— Rep. Dan Goldman, Congressman

“It was very clear that they were expected to rule in favor of the government or they were at risk of being fired. And in this case, they were.”

— Anonymous, Immigration judges who lost their jobs

“I don't know what's in the minds of other people. But I can't imagine it was helpful.”

— Nina Froes, Fired immigration judge

What’s next

Rep. Dan Goldman has introduced the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act to move the immigration courts out of the Department of Justice and create an independent branch of the judiciary.

The takeaway

The firing of immigration judges without due process by the Trump administration raises serious concerns about the independence and fairness of the immigration court system, which critics say has been weaponized to advance a 'cruel, inhumane mass deportation agenda'.