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Immigration Judges Speak Up: A Critical Forum on Judicial Independence

On May 21, a noteworthy event titled Speak Up for Justice will bring together immigration judges from across the nation to address alarming developments within the judicial system. With over 200 judges disappearing from the landscape in just one year, the integrity of the judiciary is under scrutiny like never before. The forum aims to shed light on issues that have largely remained behind closed doors yet affect millions of lives.

The events surrounding the removal of immigration judges have been abrupt and unsettling. Reports have surfaced of judges being escorted out mid-hearing, unable to complete the legal proceedings they began. In numerous cases, judges logging into their workstations found their access revoked, receiving termination emails that left them powerless before cases that needed resolution. Notably, several immigration courts have seen their staff decimated, with two courts left entirely without judges.

Attorney Paul Kiesel, the founder of Speak Up for Justice and forum moderator, emphasizes that the troubles within these courts transcend immigration alone. He states, "This situation raises fundamental questions about whether judges can render decisions based solely on legal codes, without fear of repercussions for their choices. This problem is not just confined to immigration law—it points to a larger crisis within the judicial branch as a whole."

Compounding these issues is the staggering increase in immigration litigation. As the immigration courts shrink, federal courts have witnessed habeas filings soar from 200 to over 9,000 in just one year. This alarming trend highlights the systemic pressures judges face as they manage overwhelming caseloads amid dwindling resources. The capacity for full hearings is severely compromised as judges struggle to meet scheduling demands, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond the immigration courts themselves.

Judge Mimi Tsankov, a former immigration judge and co-moderator of the forum, expresses the challenges succinctly: "Immigration judges serve as a barometer for what may lie ahead for other parts of the judiciary. What transpires in these courts is indicative of escalating stress within the larger judicial system."

Event Specifics:

• - Title: Immigration Judges Speak Up: Courts Under Pressure
• - Date & Time: Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. SAST
• - Format: Virtual event livestreamed on YouTube

Featured Speakers:

• - Holly D'Andrea, President, National Association of Immigration Judges
• - Judge Mimi Tsankov, Former Immigration Judge
• - Judge Jeremiah Johnson, VP, National Association of Immigration Judges

Moderators:

• - Attorney Paul Kiesel, Partner at Kiesel Law LLP, Founder of Speak Up for Justice
• - Judge Mimi Tsankov, Former Immigration Judge

Members of the media are invited to attend the event, where they will be able to gather quotes and insights directly from the speakers. A full video recording, along with key quotes and highlights, will be made available after the forum.

For those seeking more information, visit www.SpeakUpForJustice.law.

About Speak Up for Justice

Founded by Paul Kiesel, Speak Up for Justice is a nonpartisan coalition of legal professionals dedicated to upholding judicial independence and combating political interference in the court system. Its Executive Committee includes distinguished members such as Judge Beth Bloom, Judge Esther Salas, and Judge Karoline Mehalchick, among others.

As the judiciary faces unprecedented challenges, the Speak Up for Justice forum marks a critical moment for discussing accountability and preserving the fundamental rights inherent in the justice system. This is not merely an immigration issue; it profoundly affects the very fabric of democracy and justice.