The Trump administration has fired two Houston-based immigration judges, exacerbating the backlog of nearly 3.6 million pending cases nationwide.
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As a local immigration attorney noted, the Trump administration's recent removal of two immigration judges in Houston is anticipated to exacerbate the existing pressures on a court system that is already struggling.
The Texas Tribune reported that Noelle Sharp and Brandon Jaroch, appointed in 2021, were included among five Texas judges who were removed from their positions. Sharp has a background as an attorney and director at a refugee resettlement agency, whereas Jaroch has experience in government positions, including serving as a federal public defender.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review chose not to comment on the firings. However, Houston attorney Charles Foster indicated that the removals might be driven by political motives. Almost 3.6 million immigration cases are currently awaiting resolution across the country, leading to unprecedented delays in the court system.
Harris County has an estimated unauthorized population of 481,000 individuals, positioning Houston as one of the most impacted regions. “Having fewer judges will only exacerbate a significant backlog,” Foster stated.
The increasing number of immigration cases and the loss of judges may lead to further delays in hearings and add to the complexities of the legal process for immigrants pursuing asylum or residency.
