Former Immigration Judge Sues DOJ Over Termination

Background and Allegations

Chloe Dillon, a former immigration judge from San Francisco, has initiated a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ). She alleges her dismissal was due to her vocal concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and methods. Dillon is among 14 judges in San Francisco who have been removed since January 2025, following President Donald Trump’s return to office and the implementation of his stringent immigration policy, a pillar of his 2024 reelection campaign.

She claims that immigration courts are no longer impartial and stresses the widespread impact of this issue. The lawsuit targets Attorney General Todd Blanche, the DOJ, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, including its acting director, Sirce Owen. The DOJ has rebutted Dillon’s accusations, labeling them as “patently false.” They assert reinstating integrity within the immigration system after the Biden Administration’s approach.

Lawsuit Details

Dillon contends her termination was unlawful, citing her concerns about improper immigration enforcement actions. On August 20, she emailed her supervisor about ICE allegedly detaining an unaccompanied minor unlawfully. Two days later, she was fired without cause, without notice, or a chance for a hearing.

Dillon’s lawsuit claims this violated her constitutional due process rights and First Amendment rights, attributing her removal partially to perceived political views. Appointed by the Biden administration, Dillon served as a judge from September 2022 to August 2025, previously working as a federal public defender in San Diego.

The suit states that in April 2025, Dillon was instructed to routinely approve ICE motions for transferring cases to different courts. Upon expressing disagreement, her supervisor cautioned about possible attention from the White House, advising caution.

Dillon criticized the automatic granting of ICE motions, arguing that it contradicts legal procedures and undermines due process. She expressed concern over ICE arrests at courthouses, particularly involving minors with rights under a DOJ settlement agreement, stating these actions disrupt court proceedings.

San Francisco’s Immigration Court Closure

This month, the San Francisco immigration court officially closed due to numerous firings and retirements.

Concerns Over ICE Operations

Recent polling indicates dwindling support in Trump’s immigration policies. An August survey by Reuters/Ipsos highlighted a narrow lead for Republicans over Democrats regarding immigration policy preferences.

Trump’s administration faces criticism due to a series of incidents linked to ICE operations. The Metro Surge operation resulted in the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti earlier in the year, causing significant public uproar.

Additional incidents include the killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by an ICE agent, marking the ninth death related to Trump’s immigration actions. Broader concerns about deadly force and fatalities in ICE custody have risen, with at least 30 deaths reported in 2025, the highest since 2004, and 18 more reported in 2026.

Issues about the detention of minors have also emerged. According to The Guardian, approximately 3,800 minors were placed in immigrant family detention from January to October 2025, some as young as a year old.

Legal Proceedings and Expected Outcomes

Dillon’s lawsuit demands her reinstatement, back pay, lost benefits, and compensatory damages. She mentioned that the government has around 60 days to respond to the lawsuit. Following potential motions, the discovery process will commence, which she anticipates with interest.

Newsweek editors John Fitzpatrick and Dave Siminoff are involved in this story.