On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, ABC News reported that the Trump administration fired eight immigration judges in New York City. This action follows a lawsuit filed by a former immigration judge, Tania Nemer, who alleges unlawful discrimination in her own dismissal.

According to an official with the National Association of Immigration Judges, the eight judges were terminated on Monday. The judges who were dismissed were working at 26 Federal Plaza. Nemer’s lawsuit against the Justice Department claims her termination was based on her gender, dual citizenship with Lebanon, and past political activity as a Democrat. She alleges these factors violate civil rights laws.

Nemer, previously an immigration judge in Ohio, claims she was “abruptly fired” during her probationary period, despite receiving excellent performance reviews. Her complaint suggests the administration’s decision was a rushed attempt to target disfavored civil servants rather than a careful evaluation of her qualifications.

Nemer is among more than 100 immigration judges who have either been fired, resigned through the Department of Government Efficiency’s “Fork in the Road” offer, or been transferred out of immigration adjudication, according to the union representing immigration judges.

These firings coincide with the Department of Homeland Security’s active recruitment of “deportation judges.” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin advertised these positions on X, noting they offer potential full-time remote work with salaries ranging from $159,951 to $207,500.

Immigrant advocates have criticized the Trump administration for dismissing experienced immigration judges, particularly amidst a backlog of over 3.7 million immigration cases.

Nemer’s legal team stated she was escorted out of court upon her dismissal, and her supervisor and the acting chief immigration judge were unaware of the reasons for her termination. They claim the government has not provided a legitimate, non-discriminatory rationale for her firing.

After her dismissal, Nemer filed a discrimination complaint with an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) office, which was dismissed. The EEO office argued that Title VII does not restrict discriminatory dismissal against immigration judges, citing a conflict with the Article II removal power. Nemer’s attorneys dispute this, asserting that the Constitution does not grant the executive branch the right to discriminate.

The DOJ defended its position, arguing it can fire federal employees without cause, regardless of civil rights statutes. The complaint states that a DOJ official submitted an affidavit detailing Nemer’s driving infractions and past local tax cases from 2010 and 2011, which Nemer claims she had disclosed during her background check to become an immigration judge. Nemer’s lawyers allege the DOJ official misleadingly implied these infractions were connected to her termination.

Nemer is seeking a court declaration that the government violated her rights, reinstatement, and compensatory damages.

 

 

Source: ABC News