Trump admin. has fired four S.F. immigration judges since April

The Trump administration dismissed Judge Ila Deiss on Thursday, bringing the total number of immigration judges fired from the San Francisco Immigration Court to four since April. Judges Roger Dinh, Elisa Brasil, and Jami Vigil were terminated just shy of their two-year probationary period, which would have concluded in May 2025. This wave of firings has left nine vacancies across the court's 26 courtrooms, affecting the local immigration court system's functionality. Nationwide, at least 17 immigration judges have been removed from their positions across 10 states in a similar timeframe. Three of the four judges from San Francisco approved asylum cases at rates exceeding the national average of 42.

3 percent, with Brasil and Vigil granting asylum in 98. 7 percent and 97 percent of their cases, respectively. In contrast, Dinh's approval rate was significantly lower at 34. 6 percent. The firings come amid reports of ICE arresting asylum-seekers during court hearings, raising concerns about the treatment of individuals seeking refuge.

Milli Atkinson, an immigration specialist, reported the firing of another judge, Kyra Lilien, this week in Concord, further indicating a trend of judicial dismissals.