The move follows the firing of five other immigration judges earlier this month. The administration counters that immigration judges have not managed their mounting caseloads effectively, and that it has taken steps to streamline the process involved in adjudicating cases. Immigration judges, who are more like civil servants, can approve or deny a final order of deportation. "The dismissal of more immigration judges is an illogical and costly setback for the nation's immigration courts," said IFPTE President Matt Biggs in a statement to NPR. Earlier this month, about 600 military lawyers were authorized to work for the Justice Department as temporary immigration judges.