US immigration courts face chaos as judge firings surge and asylum approvals plummet

Major changes in US immigration courts have led to a sharp decline in asylum approvals and widespread judge dismissals. Since early 2025, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has removed nearly 180 judges, including long-serving officials. The shifts coincide with stricter policies under the second Trump administration, leaving courts understaffed and cases stalled.

The Chelmsford Immigration Court, opened in April 2024, has faced severe disruptions. By February 2025, the EOIR terminated 178 judges nationwide, including Nina Fróes, who had presided over hundreds of cases. Fróes, known for denying nearly 51% of asylum claims before her, received a termination notice on April 10, 2025, prompting her to halt an ongoing hearing.

George Pappas, another judge from the same court, filed a lawsuit in May 2025 against the Justice Department. He alleged wrongful dismissal, claiming his involvement with immigrant rights groups led to his firing. Around the same time, Sarah Cade resigned, citing concerns over the agency’s new direction and legal changes. The impact on asylum decisions has been stark. In March 2026, courts approved just 700 asylum cases—a 75% drop from the 2,753 grants in March 2025. The backlog at Chelmsford alone now exceeds 60,000 cases, worsened by the loss of judges and staff. Policy shifts have also reshaped legal precedents. Under Trump’s first term, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued 118 rulings in 15 months. By contrast, the Biden administration produced 91 decisions over four years. The faster pace under Trump has set stricter standards, contributing to the current decline in approvals.

The wave of judge terminations and policy changes has left immigration courts struggling with delays and fewer approvals. With 700 asylum grants in March 2026 compared to nearly 2,800 the previous year, the effects are measurable. The Chelmsford court, like others, now operates with a skeleton staff while thousands of cases remain unresolved.