A woman who anticipated handling hundreds of immigration cases annually – only to be dismissed by President Trump just days before her start date – expressed her belief that the immigration “caseload will increase significantly.”
In Boston and various other cities, immigration cases have piled up as migrant crossings at the U.S. southern border spiked. Although crossings have declined recently, Kerry Doyle noted that the number of cases will continue to rise. She had expected to manage approximately 700 cases each year concerning asylum, permanent residency, and removal proceedings – until her termination.
Currently, immigration courts are grappling with a backlog of around 4 million cases.
“Keep in mind that cases enter the system not only from the border but also from individuals already in the United States,” Doyle remarked. “As removal efforts increase… these individuals are brought before the immigration judge, causing the caseload to expand.”
The Trump administration has implemented a pause on all immigration applications submitted by migrants from Latin America and Ukraine who were permitted entry into the U.S. under certain Biden-era programs, citing issues of fraud and security concerns, as revealed in an internal memo obtained by CBS News and two U.S. officials.
Just days prior, the president terminated at least 20 immigration judges, including Doyle.
CBS News inquired with the Department of Justice regarding the dismissal of Doyle and others. A spokesperson refrained from commenting on personnel matters.
Doyle, however, indicated that she foresaw this outcome as those terminated “constituted the last group entering under the Biden administration.”
Doyle had been a prominent critic of the immigration system during her time as an immigration attorney, landing her on a conservative-backed group’s online watchlist of political appointees.
Nonetheless, Doyle emphasized her commitment to her role, stating that she took an oath to uphold the Constitution and perform her job, rather than act as an advocate as she did previously.
“That was my role when representing clients in the courtroom,” she explained. “Now, as the decision maker, it’s essential to consider both sides, assess the case according to the law, and render decisions impartially.”
