Filing Seeks Full Reinstatement, Back Pay, And Class Certification 

Washington, DC — A group of recently appointed immigration judges have filed an amended class appeal before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), asserting that the U.S. Department of Justice unlawfully terminated them en masse in February 2025. The filing, led by Democracy Forward and the Alden Law Group, argues that the terminations amounted to an illegal reduction-in-force (RIF) that violated civil service protections, merit system principles, and due process under federal law.

The 13 judges, appointed between December 2024 and January 2025 after completing a competitive and rigorous selection process, had already reported to their court assignments and were preparing to begin formal training and investiture. On February 14—the day of their scheduled investiture—they were abruptly fired by the Executive Office for Immigration Review via nearly identical notices with no individualized explanation and cited only that retaining them was “not in the best interest of the Agency.” The filing asserts that these terminations were not based on any misconduct or performance issues but were part of a broader effort to reduce the federal workforce without following legally required RIF procedures, including proper evaluation of merit-based factors and veterans’ preference.

“The Trump administration’s immigration-focused crusade has never been about immigration policy and instead is an effort to consolidate power and normalize violations of basic due process. These immigration judges were appointed to serve the American people and uphold the rule of law—and they were fired by President Trump in violation of long-standing civil service protections,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “We are honored to represent these judges in challenging the administration’s unlawful actions and are committed to defending a fair, impartial, and professional civil service.”

The amended appeal seeks full reinstatement, back pay, and class certification to ensure that all members of the affected cohort receive consistent and fair treatment. If granted, the class appeal would allow for the coordinated resolution of pending cases in multiple regional offices. The case is among the major legal challenges to mass civil service firings carried out by the Trump-Vance administration and raises more urgent questions about the future of independent, nonpartisan public service.

Resources for civil servants are available through Democracy Forward’s Civil Service Strong at www.civilservicestrong.org.  

Read the amended complaint here.

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.