On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Trump administration is urging a California judge to recuse herself from a legal case concerning funding for a federal immigration program. The administration’s request is based on concerns about potential conflicts of interest stemming from the judge’s previous employment with a party involved in the lawsuit.
The judge in question, Araceli Martinez-Olguin, a federal judge in San Francisco, recently issued a ruling requiring the Trump administration to restore funding for a $769 million program that provides legal services to undocumented immigrants. This decision has drawn scrutiny due to Martinez-Olguin’s past role as a managing attorney for Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA), the lead plaintiff in the case.
Martinez-Olguin, who was appointed by President Biden, has a history of vocal criticism against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Prior to her confirmation as a judge in 2023, she worked with the National Immigration Law Center, a legal organization that represents many plaintiffs in the ongoing lawsuit. Her previous affiliations have raised questions about her impartiality in the current case.
In response to her ruling, the Department of Justice has formally requested that Martinez-Olguin step aside, arguing that her past connections to the plaintiff create an appearance of impropriety. DOJ attorneys stated, “A reasonable person would likely question Judge Martínez-Olguín’s impartiality, and accordingly, recusal is required.”
Martinez-Olguin’s work at CLSEPA included founding the organization’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, where she advocated for policy changes and impact litigation concerning immigrant rights. During her tenure, she lobbied for the establishment of a taxpayer-funded initiative aimed at providing legal representation for undocumented immigrants in San Mateo County.
The lawsuit involves CLSEPA and ten other federal subcontractors who are seeking to restore funding for a program that offers legal services to unaccompanied minors apprehended at the border. These organizations argue that cuts to funding will significantly impact their operations, forcing them to reduce staff and limit services.
In court filings, a CLSEPA attorney highlighted the importance of federal funding, stating that it constitutes a crucial portion of the organization’s budget for immigration-related work. Specifically, it accounts for 15 percent of their financial resources. CLSEPA managing attorney Martha Ruch emphasized that without government funding, the organization would need to seek alternative funding sources to continue providing legal assistance to their clients.
According to federal records, CLSEPA received $300,000 in funding through this program in the previous year. The program is managed by the Acacia Center for Justice, a pro-immigration nonprofit that has advocated for significant reforms within the immigration system.
The Department of Justice’s call for recusal also cites Martinez-Olguin’s personal views regarding Trump’s immigration policies. Government attorneys noted her publicly expressed “disdain” for these policies, which she described during Trump’s first term as “unlawful and cruel.” These factors contribute to the administration’s argument that her involvement in the case could undermine the integrity of the judicial process.
Source: The Washington Free Beacon
