Trump Admin Dismisses Another Immigration Judge in San Fransciso

The Justice Department has dismissed a sixth San Francisco immigration judge since Donald Trump returned to office, continuing a trend of removing judges with backgrounds in immigrant advocacy or high asylum approval rates.

Judge Shira Levine, appointed in 2021, was recently terminated without explanation. Advocates said the decision was not unexpected given similar removals in recent months.

Since April, five other San Francisco immigration judges have been let go, including Judges Chloe Dillon and Elisa Brasil, both known for having some of the highest asylum grant rates in the court.

Dillon said she learned of her dismissal by email on Aug. 22, shortly after signaling her decision in a years-long asylum case. She was given little time to gather her belongings and reassign a docket of more than 6,000 cases.

Many of the dismissed judges had asylum approval rates well above the national average. Critics argue the firings are politically driven, targeting adjudicators perceived as more sympathetic to immigrants. Former Judge Dana Leigh Marks said the pattern reflects “results-oriented” decisions aimed at favoring government positions.

Data shows Levine approved asylum in over 97% of cases and Dillon in 96.5%, while the national average hovered near 50% in recent years and dropped below 36% last October. Experts say San Francisco cases often differ because more applicants have legal representation, but still see the dismissals as ideologically motivated.

Meanwhile, the administration has relaxed experience requirements for temporary judges and even authorized military lawyers to fill court roles, further shifting the direction of immigration adjudication.