Justice Department Dismisses Lenient New York Immigration Judge
The Justice Department has reportedly let go of Judge Vivian Gordon Uluakpa, known for her leniency in immigration cases, as per a report from the Post.
Uluakpa, who had a remarkable 97 percent approval rate for asylum seekers—higher than any other immigration judge in New York—was dismissed without prior notice in September. This decision, attributed to her extensive history of favoring asylum rulings, has raised some eyebrows among observers.
Now, her name is absent from the official website of the Manhattan courthouse where she once served. When asked about this, the Justice Department simply mentioned that the website is “up to date.”
Interestingly, Uluakpa had recently been featured in an article discussing the uncertainties immigrants face when applying for asylum, emphasizing the significant influence a judge can have on their fate. At that time, officials were quite reserved about her circumstances.
It seems her removal is part of a broader initiative to streamline the judicial process by reducing the number of more lenient judges.
In this context, Attorney General Pam Bondi has the authority to hire and fire immigration judges, who, unlike many federal judges, lack the protections that come with tenure. At 66, Uluakpa is a graduate of Fordham University and Howard University School of Law, with a background in legal aid and criminal defense.
While the administration has taken steps to lower illegal immigration numbers at the border, it’s worth noting that President Trump dismissed over 100 immigration officers during his tenure as deportation rates surged.
According to data from Syracuse University’s TRAC program, nearly 80% of asylum seekers were deported in the last quarter alone.
In a related development, John Burns, recognized as the toughest asylum judge in New York, was appointed as the acting chief justice earlier this year.
The Department of Justice has not provided any comments regarding the rationale behind Uluakpa’s dismissal.
