Former Immigration Judge Sues Department of Justice Over Firing

Chloe Dillon, a former immigration judge in San Francisco, has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was dismissed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) after voicing concerns about the tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Dillon is one of 14 local judges who have been let go since President Donald Trump resumed office in January 2025, enforcing a hardline immigration policy pivotal to his 2024 re-election.

It is important for people to know that the immigration courts no longer operate as an unbiased forum, Dillon stated in an email to Newsweek. She is the first to sue following her termination, emphasizing that this issue impacts everyone—either personally or within their community.

The lawsuit names Attorney General Todd Blanche, the DOJ, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, including its acting director Sirce Owen, as defendants.

The DOJ has denied these allegations. While not commenting directly on pending litigation, a spokesperson labeled Dillon’s claims as patently false. A statement from the DOJ asserted, After four years of de facto amnesty for hundreds of thousands of aliens under the Biden Administration, this Department of Justice is restoring integrity to our immigration system.

Dillon’s lawsuit argues her firing was unlawful, citing her objections to what she viewed as improper immigration enforcement actions and directives influencing court proceedings. Dillon alleges her termination occurred shortly after she expressed concerns via email on August 20 about ICE agents allegedly unlawfully detaining an unaccompanied minor. Just two days later, she claims she was terminated without cause.

The lawsuit contends Dillon was not notified properly or given a chance to defend herself, arguing this violated constitutional due process rights and First Amendment rights due to perceived political biases.

Before her appointment by the Biden administration in September 2022, Dillon had been a federal public defender in San Diego for nearly a decade. The complaint also alleges that, in April 2025, an assistant chief immigration judge in San Francisco instructed judges to routinely approve ICE requests to transfer immigration cases. Dillon objected, recollecting a warning from her supervisor that the White House was aware of her opposition.

Dillon told Newsweek, The directive that ICE motions to change venue should always be approved contradicts the law and offends due process. Furthermore, ICE arrests at courthouses—especially of unaccompanied minors—jeopardize public safety and judicial proceedings.

Earlier this month, San Francisco’s immigration court shut down amidst numerous firings and retirements.

Concerns About ICE Practices

Recent polls indicate President Trump is losing traction on immigration, once his strongest issue. An August Reuters/Ipsos poll found 40% of registered voters favored the Republican approach to immigration, while 38% preferred the Democratic stance, the smallest gap of Trump’s second term.

High-profile incidents involving ICE have fueled concerns since Trump’s return to office. For instance, two U.S. citizens were shot and killed in Minneapolis during the ICE operation Metro Surge early this year: Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse.

Another troubling incident occurred in July when an ICE agent shot and killed 25-year-old Colombian Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, marking the ninth death since Trump’s immigration policy was tightened.

Broader concerns about the use of deadly force and detention deaths have been raised, with at least 30 deaths in ICE custody reported in 2025, the highest since 2004. By mid-2026, 18 people had died in ICE facilities. Concerns about minor detention also persist. From January to October 2025, ICE detained approximately 3,800 minors in family facilities, some as young as one year old, according to The Guardian.

Next Steps

Dillon’s lawsuit seeks reinstatement as an immigration judge, along with back pay, lost benefits, and compensatory damages.

The government will have about 60 days to respond to the lawsuit, Dillon explained to Newsweek. Afterward, we anticipate conducting discovery. We look forward to that process.

For further information, contact Newsweek editors John Fitzpatrick and Dave Siminoff.