Van Hollen Statement on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Granting Full Review of DOJ Firing of Immigration Judges

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on a federal appeals court granting en banc review for two immigration judges challenging their firing by the Trump administration. The decision follows an amicus brief led by Senator Van Hollen and joined by five of his colleagues, urging the court to grant a hearing en banc, outlining their concerns with the Merit Systems Protection Board’s (MSPB) ruling that allowed the immigration judges to be fired at will and requesting that the Court reverse the decision of the MSPB and cancel the removals of Jackler and Jaroch. “The Merit Systems Protection Board’s decision which allowed the attorney general to fire immigration judges at will is not only wrong on its merits, but it also sets a dangerous precedent that could threaten employees across the federal workforce. That’s why I led an amicus brief calling for a full bench hearing on this important issue. I’m glad to see the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit grant this request. Our immigration judges must have full protection under the law and the removals of Jackler and Jaroch are in clear violation of the Civil Service Reform Act. I will continue pressing their case and fighting to preserve critical safeguards for our civil servants across the federal government. These men and women answer to the American people and the Constitution – not the political whims of an Administration.”