Consider This from NPR

Episode: The White House keeps firing immigration judges. He is one of them
Air Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Ailsa Chang
Guest: Jeremiah Johnson, former immigration judge and Executive Vice President of the National Association of Immigration Judges

Overview

In this episode, NPR’s Ailsa Chang dives into the recent trend of immigration judges being fired by the Trump administration and what it means for the U.S. immigration system and the individuals caught in the backlog. The episode centers around the first-hand account of former immigration judge Jeremiah Johnson, outlining the impact of judge firings, the lack of transparency, and the growing strain and complexity within immigration courts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

How Immigration Judges Are Fired

• Several immigration judges—including Anam Petit (Virginia), Tanya Neamer (Ohio), and Kira Lillian (California)—share emotional recollections of abruptly being fired (01:33-02:05).
  • Cases were stopped mid-proceeding.
  • Staff and interpreters were emotionally affected; one interpreter cried and said, "I can't believe this is happening."

Lack of Transparency and Official Explanation

• Judges received termination notices abruptly, often by email, without clear reasons provided.
• Jeremiah Johnson’s Experience:
  • Learned of the firings from a legal assistant before finding an email confirming he was fired. He was instantly locked out of the system (05:28-05:57).
  • The termination letter only referenced the Attorney General’s authority, offered "no explanation," and did not even say "thank you" (06:00).

Allegations of Systematic Targeting

• NPR analysis revealed judges with backgrounds in immigrant defense were terminated at higher rates than those with experience in Homeland Security (06:10-06:31).
• Johnson expresses skepticism about official justifications, noting:
  • Both "professional judges, experts in immigration law and policy" and those with DHS backgrounds have been terminated, but there’s a suspicious trend (06:31-07:15).
  • He describes the pattern as “an attack on judges themselves, the court system themselves” (07:41-08:09).

DOJ’s Response

• The Department of Justice claims it “does not target or prioritize immigration judges for any personnel decision one way or the other based on prior experience” (07:15).
• Johnson disagrees, stating: “What I think you’re seeing is that immigration judges with experience are being targeted are being fired.” (07:35)

Impact on the Immigration System

• Over 140 judges have left since the start of the year, significantly reducing capacity and exacerbating already severe case backlogs (08:28).
• Johnson cautions the system isn’t at “breaking point” but at a “warning point,” stressing the law requires cases be tried before immigration judges (08:28-08:51).
• He warns Congress and taxpayers should be questioning the strategy behind these firings (08:28).

Backlog and Potential Solutions

• The backlog of “millions of cases” means many immigrants will wait years for resolution (08:51-12:27).
• Johnson advocates for:
  • Creating an independent immigration court.
  • Hiring more qualified judges and investing in their training (08:58).
  • Criticizes the appointment of temporary or military personnel without proper expertise.

Critique of Current Approaches

• The Trump administration’s firings and standards-lowering have not led to more judges or relieved backlogs (09:40-10:05).
• Johnson says: “There has not been a replacement of the number of immigration judges. So I don’t think you see the investment in immigration courts.” (09:40)

Human Cost of Delay

• Chang asks Johnson to describe the real-world effect on immigrants (11:16-12:27).
• Johnson explains:
  • “They’re left in legal limbo ... Not just before the courts, but their personal lives are placed on hold."
  • Many are asylum seekers fleeing persecution and may wait many years for a decision; families remain separated.
  • “I’m hearing cases that I accepted from a previous immigration judge eight years ago ... finally getting around to being heard.” (12:12-12:27)

Notable Quotes

• On firing notification:
  “I was notified via email and shortly thereafter, without even the ability to print that letter, I was locked out of the system.” —Jeremiah Johnson [05:57]

• On lack of explanation:
  “Pursuant to Article 2 of the Constitution, the attorney general had decided to remove me from my position. That was the only explanation given. And no thank you either.” —Jeremiah Johnson [06:00]

• On patterns of termination:
  “What I think you’re seeing is that immigration judges with experience are being targeted are being fired.” —Jeremiah Johnson [07:35]

• On consequences for immigrants:
  “They’re left in legal limbo … their personal lives are placed on hold. These are people, most of them cases involve asylum, people seeking refuge here … They have no finality in that decision and families are separated.” —Jeremiah Johnson [11:32]

• On system breakdown:
  “I do remain optimistic in the future because it is in the law that removal proceedings shall be conducted by immigration judges … I think Congress needs to be asking those points to the department. I think the American taxpayer should also be asking those questions.” —Jeremiah Johnson [08:51]

Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments

• Emotional impact of firings (firsthand accounts): [01:33-02:05]
• Jeremiah Johnson's summary of how he was fired: [05:28-06:00]
• NPR reporting and DOJ response: [06:10-07:15]
• Discussion on who is being targeted: [07:35-08:09]
• Backlog and the human cost: [08:28-12:27]

Tone & Language

The episode maintains NPR’s straightforward yet empathetic tone, focusing sharply on the human impact and institutional implications of immigration judge firings. The language is clear, direct, and underscores both the procedural confusion and the very real consequences for immigrants awaiting judgment.

Summary

This episode of Consider This offers a sobering look at mass firings of immigration judges under the Trump administration, highlighting confusion, lack of transparency, and negative ripple effects on the overloaded U.S. immigration court system. Through the voice of Judge Jeremiah Johnson, listeners gain both an insider’s perspective and a deep sense of concern for the individuals and families stuck in limbo awaiting their day in court. The episode raises tough questions about transparency, accountability, and the basic functionality of an already strained system.