Code Switch How the Trump administration is reshaping immigration
Dec 3, 2025
Ximena Bustillo, an NPR immigration and DHS reporter, dives into the significant changes in the U.S. immigration system. She reveals alarming patterns of immigration judges being fired, particularly those with defense backgrounds, while $3 billion is funneled into ICE for new 'deportation judges.' Bustillo highlights the backlog of cases affecting thousands, discusses bias in judicial appointments, and considers the long-term implications of these shifts on enforcement and judicial independence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Judge Fired Mid-Hearing
- Anam Petit received an email at 3:30 p.m. telling her she was fired and had to pack up her bench during a hearing.
- She and other judges described shock, preemptive packing, and emotional farewells as terminations arrived.
Mass Terminations Around Probation Periods
- Ximena tracked roughly 70 immigration judges terminated between February and October 2025 amid a broader federal workforce reduction.
- Many terminations occurred around two-year probationary marks and disrupted court staffing plans.
Backgrounds Shaped Termination Patterns
- The largest share of fired judges had immigrant-defense backgrounds, suggesting selection based on prior advocacy work.
- Fired judges worried their defense experience signaled political opposition to the administration's enforcement priorities.