Veteran Judge: Trump ‘Destroyed’ Immigration Courts

Dana Leigh Marks, a name synonymous with groundbreaking legal work in immigration, has witnessed the evolution of the U.S. immigration court system over four decades. From her early career triumphs to her influential role leading the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), Marks built a legacy many in her field could only aspire to. Now 71 and retired, her perspective on the current state of these courts under the Trump administration is not just critical, but deeply alarming.

“I have seen my entire career destroyed by Trump in six months,” Marks stated candidly, reflecting on her profession near her Marin County home, a short distance from San Francisco where much of her distinguished service unfolded. Her voice, though sharp and punctuated by her characteristic wit, carried an undeniable tremor of fear. “I’m flat out terrified on all fronts.”

A Distinguished Career Undermined

Marks’s career began with remarkable distinction. At just 32 years old, she secured a landmark Supreme Court victory that significantly eased the path for individuals seeking asylum in the United States. In the subsequent decades, she became a formidable advocate for her colleagues, spearheading the NAIJ to establish collective bargaining rights and fiercely defending the independence of immigration courts from political interference. Her journey also paved the way for countless women to ascend to the judicial bench.

However, the seasoned judge, with her shock of white curls, now paints a grim portrait of the institution she once served with such dedication. The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies, she asserts, have plunged the already backlogged court system into unprecedented disarray.

Courts in Chaos: A “War Zone” for Immigrants

The scale of the disruption, according to Marks, is staggering. Over 100 immigration judges have been terminated since President Trump took office, including approximately one-third of the judges in San Francisco, home to one of the nation’s largest immigration courts. This mass exodus of experienced jurists has exacerbated existing delays and created a climate of uncertainty.

Perhaps most chilling are Marks’s accounts of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating with unchecked authority. She describes people being routinely apprehended outside their scheduled court hearings across the country, with ICE agents “acting like the Gestapo.” This aggressive enforcement, she warns, has created an environment of pervasive fear.

Marks articulated her profound concern for those navigating this landscape. “If I were an immigration practitioner now, I’d tell my clients that they have to act like they’re in a war zone,” she advised, her voice firm. “Be prepared for any eventuality, because it is so random and so chaotic.”

Speaking Freely: A Voice of Experience

Having shed the constraints of a sitting judge, Marks can now speak with a frankness that was previously impossible. Her assessment underscores the immense pressure and the gravity of the cases handled by immigration judges, whom she famously described as “do[ing] death penalty cases in a traffic court setting.” Despite the somber nature of her observations, Marks retains an infectious vivacity, finding joy in every passing dog and baby – a testament to a spirit seemingly unbowed by the grim realities she confronts.

Her testimony serves as a stark warning from a veteran who witnessed the system’s construction and now its rapid perceived deconstruction. The former judge’s insights offer a rare, unfiltered look into the profound challenges facing the American immigration court system and the individuals caught within its increasingly turbulent currents.

Source: The Guardian