who was a former senior immigration official at the Department of Justice removed from his position The new DOJ leadership told ABC News this week that it has not received an explanation for his removal.
Lauren Alder Reid was one of four senior officials at the agency that manages US immigration courts to be fired. He had been with the agency for more than 14 years.
“They gave me no reason other than to cite an excellent performance review for no discipline, administrative leave or reassignment in my entire career,” Reid said. said ABC News.
The shootings come as President Donald Trump has signed a crackdown immigration enforcement orders after vowing on the campaign trail to reduce immigration and undo Biden-era policies.
Asked if he was considering legal action, Reid, who was the assistant director of the policy office at the Executive Office for Immigration Review, said he and others are considering all options available to them.
“It’s pretty hard to sit back and imagine that this could happen at will to any employee across government, especially when we’re talking about public servants who have dedicated their careers to trying to make our country the best it can be.” he said
The seal of the U.S. Department of Justice is seen on a podium in the briefing room at the Department’s headquarters before a news conference with the attorney general on Jan. 24, 2023 in Washington.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
The Justice Department employs about 700 immigration judges, who decide whether migrants seeking asylum in the United States can remain in the country legally. There is currently a historic backlog of 3.5 million cases.
Reid said drastic reform is needed to address the backlog, “Congress needs to act.”
Asked what message his removal sends to other career officials in the federal government, Reid said employees are afraid.
“If fear is what they wanted, they’re getting it,” Reid said.
