In a bold move that’s raising eyebrows, the Trump administration has terminated five more immigration judges in San Francisco, signaling a hardline stance on reshaping the nation’s immigration courts, NBC Bay Area reported. 

This latest action, which took place on Friday, is part of a larger push that has seen over half of the city’s immigration judges ousted since the administration began its term in January, bringing the total number of dismissals to a dozen.

The judges let go in this recent wave—Patrick Savage, Amber George, Jeremiah Johnson, Shuting Chen, and Louis Gordon—were confirmed to have been fired by sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

Significant Turnover in San Francisco Courts

Since the start of the year, San Francisco’s immigration court has been hit hardest, with the union representing these judges noting that only nine remain out of an original roster of 21.

This disproportionate impact on one city suggests a targeted approach, though the Executive Office for Immigration Review, under the Department of Justice, has stayed silent on the reasoning behind these moves.

Critics are quick to cry foul, but could this be a necessary reset for a system many conservatives see as bogged down by leniency and inefficiency?

DOJ Seeks New 'Deportation Judges'

Adding fuel to the debate, the Department of Justice has rolled out job postings to recruit what they’ve termed “deportation judges,” with San Francisco listed as a key assignment location alongside Concord, Sacramento, and five other cities.

The advertisement’s language is unapologetically direct, urging applicants to “Help write the next chapter of America” and emphasizing the duty to ensure “only aliens with legally meritorious claims are allowed to remain.”

While progressive voices might bristle at such wording, isn’t it refreshing to see a call for clarity in a system often mired in ambiguity?

Criticism Mounts Over Firings Strategy

Former Concord immigration judge Kyra Lilien, herself dismissed earlier in July, didn’t hold back in condemning the latest firings, calling them an assault on judicial independence.

“The mass firings of the five experienced immigration judges today is yet another attack on the rule of law and judicial independence,” Lilien stated. “By firing judges who are broadly respected for their professionalism, integrity, and expertise, while actively recruiting 'deportation judges' to replace them, this administration is wholeheartedly destroying our justice system.”

While Lilien’s passion is evident, one might ask if the system she defends has truly been serving the American public, or if it’s been more of a revolving door for unauthorized migration cases.

Union Leader Points to Replacement Plan

Matt Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, offered a blunt take on the administration’s approach, stating, “Their strategy here is to remove the current immigration judges, as many as they can, and replace them.”

Biggs’ words paint a picture of deliberate overhaul, but isn’t it possible that fresh perspectives could streamline a backlog that’s frustrated taxpayers for years?

At the end of the day, while the firings may unsettle some, they reflect a broader push to prioritize enforcement over what many see as an overly permissive status quo—time will tell if this gamble pays off for a nation seeking border security.