United Nations human rights experts are raising serious concerns about changes inside the United States immigration court system.

Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, more than 100 immigration judges have reportedly been fired, removed, or pushed out of their positions. At the same time, the federal government has increased pressure on immigration courts to complete cases faster and increase deportations.

The United Nations experts warn that these actions may make it harder for immigrants to receive a fair and independent hearing.

What Is an Immigration Judge?

An immigration judge decides important immigration cases, including:

Whether a person should be deported
Whether a person qualifies for asylum
Whether a person may receive protection from torture
Whether a person qualifies for cancellation of removal or another defense
Whether an immigrant may remain in the United States

Immigration judges are different from regular federal judges. They work for the U.S. Department of Justice, which is part of the President’s administration.

This means that immigration courts are not completely separate from the government agency responsible for carrying out the President’s immigration policies.

What Is the United Nations Worried About?

The main concern is that immigration judges may not be able to make independent decisions.

An independent judge should decide each case based on the law, the evidence, and the individual facts. A judge should not be afraid of losing a job because the government does not like the decision.

The United Nations experts are concerned that some judges may have been removed because of:

Their previous decisions
Their professional background
Their suspected political beliefs
The number of cases in which they allowed immigrants to remain in the United States

The experts are also worried that immigration courts are being changed from places where immigrants receive individual hearings into places focused mainly on completing deportations.

Why Does This Matter to Immigrants?

Immigration cases can involve life-or-death questions.

An asylum applicant may be afraid of being killed, arrested, tortured, or persecuted in their home country. A judge must have enough time to review the person’s testimony, documents, witnesses, medical records, police reports, and country conditions.

When judges are required to handle too many cases too quickly, they may not have enough time to:

Understand the immigrant’s complete story
Review all supporting evidence
Allow the attorney to present legal arguments
Give the immigrant time to find a lawyer
Properly consider whether the person faces danger
Write a careful and legally correct decision

The United Nations has warned that some judges may be expected to handle extremely large numbers of cases in only a few hours. This creates concerns that immigrants may be ordered deported without receiving a meaningful opportunity to explain their cases.

What International Law May Be Involved?

International law generally requires governments to provide a fair process when a person may be deported to a country where the person could face persecution or torture.

In simple language, this means the government should not send someone into serious danger without carefully reviewing the person’s case.

The United Nations experts believe that immigrants seeking protection should have their cases decided by a neutral person who is free from political pressure.

They are concerned that removing judges and pressuring the remaining judges to complete cases quickly may violate these basic protections.

What Does the U.S. Government Say?

The Department of Justice says that immigration judges must remain fair and neutral. The government says it has the authority to take action when a judge shows unfair bias for or against either side.

The administration has also hired many new immigration judges. The government says these new hires are needed to handle the very large number of pending immigration cases.

However, the United Nations experts remain concerned about why experienced judges were removed, how new judges are being selected, and whether judges are being pressured to make decisions that support the administration’s deportation goals.

Does the United Nations Warning Stop Deportations?

No.

The United Nations statement is a warning from independent human rights experts. It is not a U.S. court order.

It does not automatically:

Stop deportations
Cancel immigration hearings
Reopen closed cases
Remove existing deportation orders
Give anyone legal immigration status
Grant asylum or a green card

Immigrants in the U.S. must continue to follow all court requirements and deadlines.

What Should Immigrants in Court Do?

If you have an immigration court case, you should take it very seriously.

Attend every scheduled hearing. Make sure the immigration court has your correct address. Keep copies of all notices and documents. Prepare your evidence early, and speak with an experienced immigration attorney before making important decisions.

Do not assume that the judge will give you additional time. Do not miss a hearing because you believe your case may be postponed. Missing court can result in a deportation order being entered without you.

Anyone who receives a denial or deportation order should speak with an attorney immediately. Appeal deadlines can be very short.

Shepelsky Law Group Can Review Your Immigration Case

Immigration court procedures and government policies are changing quickly. A strong case requires careful preparation, complete evidence, and a clear legal strategy.

Shepelsky Law Group represents immigrants in asylum cases, deportation proceedings, appeals, motions to reopen, family immigration matters, employment immigration cases, and other complex immigration matters.

Call Shepelsky Law Group at Tel: (718)769-6352 to schedule a paid immigration consultation, or book your consultation online through our website at https://shepelskylaw.cliogrow.com/book . During the consultation, we can review your immigration history, court documents, deadlines, possible defenses, and available legal options.

Do not wait until the day of your hearing or until an appeal deadline is about to expire.