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

The Trump administration dismissed four immigration judges from the San Francisco Immigration Court, including Ila Deiss, who approved 93. 7 percent of asylum cases. Judges Roger Dinh, Elisa Brasil, and Jami Vigil were fired in April, just before their two-year probationary period ended in May 2025. This series of firings leaves nine vacancies in a court with 26 courtrooms, highlighting a significant staffing issue. Nationwide, at least 17 immigration judges across 10 states have been terminated since Monday, according to the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

The firings occur amid reports of ICE arresting asylum-seekers during court hearings, raising concerns about due process. Atkinson noted that the trend reflects a broader policy shift regarding immigration enforcement. Brasil and Vigil had even higher asylum approval rates than the national average of 42. 3 percent. The Executive Office for Immigration Review has declined to comment on these firings.