The Biden-era backlog of over three million immigration cases is now being met with sweeping changes under President Trump’s return to office. In a quiet but forceful move, around 50 federal immigration judges have been dismissed—signaling an end to what some critics called an era of activist rulings that undermined immigration enforcement.

Dismissed judges, many with no disciplinary record, argue they were targeted for political reasons. Judge Jennifer Peyton, an Obama-era appointee, was removed during vacation, despite positive reviews. Another, Carla Espinoza, claims her Hispanic surname and gender were factors in her non-renewal. However, her most controversial decision involved releasing a Mexican national flagged by Homeland Security.

The administration sees things differently. Officials argue that these dismissals reflect accountability, not discrimination. Former DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni, now a whistleblower, alleges political manipulation in fast-tracking deportations—but supporters view this as overdue reform.

The judges’ union says many others have been reassigned or pressured to retire. Union president Matt Biggs claims remaining judges feel “threatened,” a reaction the administration views as evidence of long-overdue consequences for a system plagued by leniency and inaction.

Trump promised to end what critics called a “rubber-stamp” approach to immigration and is now acting decisively. While former judges and their allies cry foul, the administration frames these changes as restoring integrity to a system too long shielded from scrutiny. The loudest voices aren’t from fired judges—they’re from Americans demanding a lawful, functioning immigration system. And for now, Trump appears to be delivering.