#United States #Washington, D.C. #National Press Club #Due Process #Immigration Judges

Immigration Judges Speak Out on Dismissals

On November 13, a critical event will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where three recently terminated immigration judges and the president of their union will voice their concerns about the recent wave of dismissals and its implications for due process within the immigration court system. This gathering is particularly timely as it addresses the ongoing crisis created by the dismissals amidst an already burdened legal system.

Background on Recent Dismissals

Since January 20, 2021, the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement, resulting in the dismissal of 82 federal immigration judges without any given reason. This situation has drawn attention to a judicial system grappling with more than 3.4 million pending cases, a figure that has only compounded as judges continue to be let go.

In an attempt to remedy the backlog, Congress authorized the hiring of up to 800 new judges, along with support teams. However, this plan has not yet offset the decrease in the number of judicial positions, which has fallen to around 600 from approximately 700 at the beginning of the year.

The administration has also altered hiring practices for temporary immigration judges, lifting the requirement for prior immigration law experience. Instead, it has started to recruit military attorneys for six-month positions after giving them minimal training, raising serious questions about the integrity and expertise necessary for handling sensitive immigration cases.

Who Will Speak?

During the event, the panel will feature:
1. Anam R. Petit - A former immigration judge from Annandale, Virginia, who served from September 2023 to September 2025. Before her judgeship, Petit was a law professor at Georgetown University and practiced law privately.
2. Emmett Soper - A former immigration judge with nine years of experience who was terminated in August 2025. Soper has held various roles within the Department of Justice since 2005.
3. Ted Doolittle - Formerly an immigration judge at Hartford, Connecticut, Doolittle also has six years of experience as Connecticut's Healthcare Advocate and has worked in both public and private sectors before his termination.
4. Matt Biggs - The president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), representing over 90,000 skilled workers in various sectors. The National Association of Immigration Judges is affiliated with IFPTE.

Discussion Points

The speakers will explore several crucial issues, including:

• - The ramifications of judge dismissals on judicial independence.
• - Threats to due process for individuals navigating the immigration system.
• - The overall effectiveness of the immigration courts amidst current staffing shortages.

Additionally, audience members who wish to engage with the panelists can submit questions before the event starts by emailing the National Press Club. The deadline for submission is set for 10 a.m. on the day of the event.

Event Details

This significant discussion is open to credentialed media and National Press Club members, with registration being mandatory. The event will commence at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Interested participants can register through the National Press Club’s official site.

The National Press Club is located at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. This event promises to be a pivotal moment in raising awareness and understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by the immigration courts and the critical need for fair judicial processes.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit the National Press Club website or contact Cecily Scott Martin.