At least 100 attorneys have left the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation since January 2025, cutting roughly a third of the unit that defends Trump’s deportation policies.
Former lawyers said mounting caseloads, leadership upheaval and frustration over DHS compliance with court orders drove the exits, with one to three goodbye emails reportedly going out each week.
More than 45,000 habeas petitions challenging immigrant detention have hit the office, and former staff said the loss of mid-level and senior litigators threatens its ability to handle cases heading toward the Supreme Court.
DOJ has leaned on at least 14 politically appointed Civil Division counsels to cover immigration cases and has hired no more than 30 new lawyers, while offering $25,000 signing bonuses.
The attrition comes as judges increasingly fault DOJ and ICE in immigration cases, adding disciplinary risk and potentially giving private lawyers for immigrants an unusual credibility edge.
With veteran lawyers gone and judges replaced, what is the future for due process in America's immigration courts?
Can $25,000 bonuses rebuild a justice office after a mass exodus of its most experienced legal talent?
6,023 Years of Expertise Lost: The DOJ’s Mass Exodus and Its Threat to Justice Under Trump’s Second Term
Overview
Since January 2025, the Department of Justice has faced a major crisis as a significant number of legal professionals have left, either through firings, resignations in protest, or being pushed out by the administration. This mass departure led to a substantial loss of expertise, with the DOJ losing 6,023 years of experience, especially in key areas like the Office of Immigration Litigation. As a result, the DOJ’s ability to fulfill its mission has declined, the quality of work and public safety have suffered, and the integrity of the institution itself has eroded. Many experienced lawyers have moved to state offices and nonprofits, further weakening the DOJ.