Firing of Two Houston Immigration Judges Expected to Worsen Backlog

The recent firing of five Texas immigration judges by the Trump administration, including two in Houston, is expected to further strain an already overwhelmed immigration court system, according to a Houston-based attorney. The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers confirmed that judges Brandon Jaroch and Noelle Sharp, who served in Houston, were among those removed. The U.S. Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has declined to comment on the dismissals, which are part of a larger wave of removals affecting 28 employees nationwide. Charles Foster, chairman of Foster LLP, a prominent Houston-based immigration law firm, said the decision could exacerbate existing backlogs, noting that Harris County alone has an estimated 481,000 undocumented residents. "Common sense would tell you that if you have a significant backlog, having fewer judges will only increase that backlog," Foster said. The number of pending immigration cases has surged each year since 2006, reaching nearly 3.6 million as of fiscal year 2024. Houston courts, which already process some of the nation’s highest caseloads, are likely to feel the impact acutely. Foster speculated that the removals might be linked to judges speaking out or expressing concerns, though no official reasons have been provided. With fewer judges available, legal experts worry the administration may expand its reliance on fast-track deportations that bypass the court system altogether.

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