A dramatic moment unfolded in a San Francisco courtroom last week when immigration judge Shuting Chen learned of her termination mid-hearing. The 41-year-old judge was overseeing an asylum case involving three Venezuelan siblings when an email labeled “notice of termination” appeared on her screen. Overcome with emotion, Chen reportedly began crying. “I started to cry in my courtroom in front of the parties, which I always tried not to do, despite the traumatic nature of our jobs,” she explained to NBC Bay Area News.
Chen, who was appointed by the Biden administration in 2022, reflected on her experience as both an immigrant and a judge. “I never took my role as a judge for granted,” she said. However, she expressed sorrow over what she perceives as the dissolution of a system that once valued her approach to immigration cases. “This is an all-out attack on the immigration court,” Chen lamented. “We began the year with 21 judges, and now we have nine, I think, in San Francisco.” Her comments indicate a deep concern for the integrity of the judicial process and how it’s impacted by political changes.
In the wake of her firing, Chen remained hopeful for her successors. She asserted her belief that the new judges would approach their roles differently. “I remain optimistic that people who are being brought on will not see themselves either as deportation judges, but as immigration judges, or just judges,” she stated. Chen hopes that they will navigate the complexities of immigration law with compassion.
Her sentiments echo a common theme among those removed by the Trump administration— a sense of loss for their roles and responsibilities. Another judge, Jeremiah Johnson, voiced his frustration to NBC Bay Area News, saying, “We are all public servants. We spent years of our lives serving the United States government in this role.” His comments reflect a yearning for acknowledgment of their service in what they view as challenging roles.
These terminations align with President Trump’s ongoing campaign to reshape the judiciary, particularly within the immigration court. Reports indicate that over 100 immigration judges have faced similar setbacks since Trump took office. This includes a significant number from San Francisco alone, with 20 judges dismissed in just July. The shift marks a broader strategy focusing on ensuring that judges adhere strictly to the Constitution and immigration laws.
In sum, the emotional nuance of Chen’s reaction, coupled with her assertions about the immigration system, highlights the significant changes taking place within the judiciary. Her experience underscores the challenges judges face in balancing the law with the human stories behind it.
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