Speaking at an American Bar Association webinar released today, three former immigration judges painted a stark picture of the nation’s immigration-court system after nearly 100 judges were dismissed in 2025. According to ABA data, the bench has shrunk from 729 judges in late 2024 to just 596 as of February 13, 2026, even as the case backlog tops three million.
Panelists Jeremiah Johnson, Kerry E. Doyle and Karen T. Grisez said the cuts—combined with record ICE detention numbers—mean more cases are being litigated by inadequately trained temporary judges, increasing the risk of inconsistent decisions and reversible errors. They urged attorneys to “object early and often,” build exhaustive evidentiary records and be prepared for aggressive timelines or unorthodox courtroom practices.
![Former Immigration Judges Warn of Court Chaos After Wave of Firings—Offer Survival Tips for Practitioners]()
For those trying to stay ahead of shifting rules, VisaHQ can lighten the load on routine but critical tasks such as visa renewals, travel authorizations and document legalizations. Its online dashboard, real-time support and country-specific checklists (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) help companies and individuals keep paperwork current, freeing legal teams to focus on high-stakes litigation and strategy.
For corporate mobility teams, the practical takeaway is that removal proceedings involving employees may drag on unpredictably or generate unexpected outcomes, complicating workforce-planning. Companies should budget for federal-court litigation if an employee is detained or served with a Notice to Appear, and consider arranging pro bono counsel for vulnerable family members.
The judges also renewed calls for Congress to convert immigration courts—currently housed within the Department of Justice—into an independent Article I court system. Bipartisan reform bills have stalled, but today’s numbers add fresh urgency. Until systemic change arrives, employers, lawyers and foreign nationals must navigate a tribunal that the panel described as “overloaded and undermanned.”
Panelists Jeremiah Johnson, Kerry E. Doyle and Karen T. Grisez said the cuts—combined with record ICE detention numbers—mean more cases are being litigated by inadequately trained temporary judges, increasing the risk of inconsistent decisions and reversible errors. They urged attorneys to “object early and often,” build exhaustive evidentiary records and be prepared for aggressive timelines or unorthodox courtroom practices.
For those trying to stay ahead of shifting rules, VisaHQ can lighten the load on routine but critical tasks such as visa renewals, travel authorizations and document legalizations. Its online dashboard, real-time support and country-specific checklists (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) help companies and individuals keep paperwork current, freeing legal teams to focus on high-stakes litigation and strategy.
For corporate mobility teams, the practical takeaway is that removal proceedings involving employees may drag on unpredictably or generate unexpected outcomes, complicating workforce-planning. Companies should budget for federal-court litigation if an employee is detained or served with a Notice to Appear, and consider arranging pro bono counsel for vulnerable family members.
The judges also renewed calls for Congress to convert immigration courts—currently housed within the Department of Justice—into an independent Article I court system. Bipartisan reform bills have stalled, but today’s numbers add fresh urgency. Until systemic change arrives, employers, lawyers and foreign nationals must navigate a tribunal that the panel described as “overloaded and undermanned.”
