Latest news with #termination
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigration judges fired by Trump administration say they will fight back
CHICAGO (AP) — Federal immigration judges fired by the Trump administration are filing appeals, pursuing legal action and speaking out in an unusually public campaign to fight back. More than 50 immigration judges — from senior leaders to new appointees — have been fired since Donald Trump assumed the presidency for the second time. Normally bound by courtroom decorum, many are now unrestrained in describing terminations they consider unlawful and why they believe they were targeted. Their suspected reasons include gender discrimination, decisions on immigration cases played up by the Trump administration and a courthouse tour with the Senate's No. 2 Democrat. 'I cared about my job and was really good at it,' Jennifer Peyton, a former supervising judge told The Associated Press this week. 'That letter that I received, the three sentences, explained no reason why I was fired.' Peyton, who received the notice while on a July Fourth family vacation, was appointed judge in 2016. She considered it her dream job. Peyton was later named assistant chief immigration judge in Chicago, helping to train, mentor and oversee judges. She was a visible presence in the busy downtown court, greeting outside observers. She cited top-notch performance reviews and said she faced no disciplinary action. Peyton said she'll appeal through the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent government agency Trump has also targeted. Peyton's theories about why she was fired include appearing on a 'bureaucrat watchdog list' of people accused by a right-wing organization of working against the Trump agenda. She also questions a courthouse tour she gave to Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois in June. Durbin blasted Peyton's termination as an 'abuse of power,' saying he's visited before as part of his duties as a publicly-elected official. The nation's immigration courts — with a backlog of about 3.5 million cases — have become a key focus of Donald Trump's hard-line immigration enforcement efforts. The firings are on top of resignations, early retirements and transfers, adding up to 106 judges gone since January, according to the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, which represents judges. There are currently about 600 immigration judges. Several of those fired, including Peyton, have recently done a slew of interviews on local Chicago television stations and with national outlets, saying they now have a platform for their colleagues who remain on the bench. 'The ones that are left are feeling threatened and very uncertain about their future,' said Matt Biggs, the union's president. Carla Espinoza, a Chicago immigration judge since 2023, was fired as she was delivering a verdict this month. Her notice said she'd be dismissed at the end of her two-year probationary period with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. 'I am personally committed to my career. We're not political appointees,' she told AP. 'I'm entitled to a reason.' She believes the firings have disproportionately affected women and ethnic minorities, including people with Hispanic-sounding surnames like hers. She plans to take legal action before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which has also shifted focus under Trump. 'There's a very strong pattern of discriminatory factors,' she said. Espinoza thinks another reason could be her decision to release a Mexican immigrant falsely accused of threatening to assassinate Trump. Ramón Morales Reyes was accused of a writing a threatening letter by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Morales Reyes was actually framed by a man who had previously attacked him. Espinoza said she felt pressure with public scrutiny, media coverage and Noem's statements about Morales Reyes, which weren't corrected or removed from social media. 'It's hard to silence the noise and just do your job fairly when there's so much distraction," she said. 'I think I did. And I stand by my decision as having been a fair one to release an individual who I believe was twice victimized.' The Executive Office for Immigration Review, part of the Justice Department that oversees the immigration courts, declined to comment on the firings through an agency spokesperson. Peyton said she isn't sure that working as an immigration judge is still her dream job. 'It's important that everyone in our country knows what's happening in our immigration courts,' she said. 'The Department of Justice that I joined in 2016 is not the same one now.'
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Immigration judges fired by Trump administration say they will fight back
CHICAGO (AP) — Federal immigration judges fired by the Trump administration are filing appeals, pursuing legal action and speaking out in an unusually public campaign to fight back. More than 50 immigration judges — from senior leaders to new appointees — have been fired since Donald Trump assumed the presidency for the second time. Normally bound by courtroom decorum, many are now unrestrained in describing terminations they consider unlawful and why they believe they were targeted. Their suspected reasons include gender discrimination, decisions on immigration cases played up by the Trump administration and a courthouse tour with the Senate's No. 2 Democrat. 'I cared about my job and was really good at it,' Jennifer Peyton, a former supervising judge told The Associated Press this week. 'That letter that I received, the three sentences, explained no reason why I was fired.' Peyton, who received the notice while on a July Fourth family vacation, was appointed judge in 2016. She considered it her dream job. Peyton was later named assistant chief immigration judge in Chicago, helping to train, mentor and oversee judges. She was a visible presence in the busy downtown court, greeting outside observers. She cited top-notch performance reviews and said she faced no disciplinary action. Peyton said she'll appeal through the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent government agency Trump has also targeted. Peyton's theories about why she was fired include appearing on a 'bureaucrat watchdog list' of people accused by a right-wing organization of working against the Trump agenda. She also questions a courthouse tour she gave to Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois in June. Durbin blasted Peyton's termination as an 'abuse of power,' saying he's visited before as part of his duties as a publicly-elected official. The nation's immigration courts — with a backlog of about 3.5 million cases — have become a key focus of Trump's hard-line immigration enforcement efforts. The firings are on top of resignations, early retirements and transfers, adding up to 106 judges gone since January, according to the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, which represents judges. There are currently about 600 immigration judges. Several of those fired, including Peyton, have recently done a slew of interviews on local Chicago television stations and with national outlets, saying they now have a platform for their colleagues who remain on the bench. 'The ones that are left are feeling threatened and very uncertain about their future,' said Matt Biggs, the union's president. Carla Espinoza, a Chicago immigration judge since 2023, was fired as she was delivering a verdict this month. Her notice said she'd be dismissed at the end of her two-year probationary period with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. 'I am personally committed to my career. We're not political appointees,' she told AP. 'I'm entitled to a reason.' She believes the firings have disproportionately affected women and ethnic minorities, including people with Hispanic-sounding surnames like hers. She plans to take legal action before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which has also shifted focus under Trump. 'There's a very strong pattern of discriminatory factors,' she said. Espinoza thinks another reason could be her decision to release a Mexican immigrant falsely accused of threatening to assassinate Trump. Ramón Morales Reyes was accused of a writing a threatening letter by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Morales Reyes was actually framed by a man who had previously attacked him. Espinoza said she felt pressure with public scrutiny, media coverage and Noem's statements about Morales Reyes, which weren't corrected or removed from social media. 'It's hard to silence the noise and just do your job fairly when there's so much distraction,' she said. 'I think I did. And I stand by my decision as having been a fair one to release an individual who I believe was twice victimized.' The Executive Office for Immigration Review, part of the Justice Department that oversees the immigration courts, declined to comment on the firings through an agency spokesperson. Peyton said she isn't sure that working as an immigration judge is still her dream job. 'It's important that everyone in our country knows what's happening in our immigration courts,' she said. 'The Department of Justice that I joined in 2016 is not the same one now.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Purpose Investments Announces Termination of Three Investment Funds
TORONTO, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Purpose Investments Inc. ('Purpose Investments') announced today its decision to terminate StoneCastle Equity Growth Fund and StoneCastle Income Growth Fund (each, a 'StoneCastle Fund' and together, the 'StoneCastle Funds') at the close of business on or about September 29, 2025 (the 'StoneCastle Funds' Termination Date'). Effective immediately, each StoneCastle Fund is closed to new purchases. Purpose Investments also announced its decision to terminate PK Core Fund effective as of the close of business today. PK Core Fund currently has no unitholders and is closed to new purchases. StoneCastle Funds Purpose Investments regularly reviews its fund offerings to ensure each offering is appropriately scaled, cost-effective, and economically viable for investors, while continually enhancing our fund platform to better serve investors. As part of its latest review, a decision was made to terminate the StoneCastle Funds due to their relatively small size, which has made it challenging to manage the StoneCastle Funds efficiently in accordance with their stated investment objectives. Holders of Series A and Series F shares of either StoneCastle Fund (collectively, the 'Shares') will have the option to redeem their Shares at net asset value on or prior to September 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). No fees or redemption charges will apply. All Shares not redeemed prior to 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on the Termination Date will be automatically redeemed at net asset value, with the proceeds either deposited into the shareholder's account or sent via cheque mailed directly to the shareholder, dealer, nominee, or intermediary, as applicable. If required, a final distribution for each StoneCastle Fund will occur on or about the StoneCastle Funds' Termination Date. Shareholders will be sent a written notice regarding the termination of the StoneCastle Funds. There may be tax implications for shareholders with respect to any disposition of Shares. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to contact their financial advisor to discuss the financial and tax implications associated with a redemption of Shares and the termination of the StoneCastle Funds. About Purpose Investments Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $25 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company. For further information, please contact info@ Media Inquiries: Keera Hart 905-580-1257 Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. The prospectus contains important detailed information about the investment fund. Please read the prospectus before investing. There is no assurance that any fund will achieve its investment objective, and its net asset value, yield, and investment return will fluctuate from time to time with market conditions. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be cautions the reader not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak only as of the date they are made. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'on pace', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate', 'believes' and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'should', 'might' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available to management at the time they are made, management's current plans, estimates, assumptions, judgments and expectations. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Purpose to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical, technological and social uncertainties. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on assumptions that Purpose believes to be reasonable at the date such statements are made, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Purpose does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Raider DT's Release Shows Holes in NFL ‘Guaranteed' Money Deals
The Las Vegas Raiders released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on Thursday, calling the decision in the 'best interests of the organization' in a statement. The 2019 first-round draft pick was entering the second year of a four-year, $110 million contract, with $35.2 million in 'guaranteed' money left that the Raiders voided. Shortly after, the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on behalf of Wilkins. This situation is the latest reminder that the headline numbers in NFL contracts are often imaginary, with the league lacking the same level of guarantees in its contracts that exist in the NBA, MLB and NHL. More from WNBA Players Test Power of Social Pressure in Labor Negotiations 'Irretrievably Broken': Divorce Preceded Howell's NFLPA Troubles Sporticast 468: What Is Gotham? Batman's Home, or New York City? Wilkins suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot early in the 2024 season. He had surgery, but a dispute arose this summer on whether the defensive tackle should have another surgery or continue rehabilitation. The Raiders placed Wilkins on the physically unable to perform list last week at the start of training camp, before waiving him Thursday. The NFL CBA includes a notice of contract termination in its appendix. Clubs can check one of five boxes that range from unsatisfactory performance to personal conduct that adversely affects the club. According to ESPN, Wilkins' termination was a result of the first choice in the notice: 'You have failed to establish or maintain your excellent physical condition to the satisfaction of the Club physician.' The CBA has detailed language regarding its Injury Protection Benefit. It states that a player must undergo 'reasonable and customary rehabilitation treatment the club required of him.' The question about guaranteed money in the NFL has been at the forefront of the league over the past month. A January arbitration decision, which was unveiled in late June on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, found the league's management council 'encouraged' owners in 2022 to reduce contract guarantees after the Browns signed Deshaun Watson, but that owners didn't collude in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. An arbitrator will now determine whether Wilkins is entitled to his $35 million. His grievance falls under 'non-injury' category, which covers fines, suspension and prior-year injuries that invoke the collectively bargained Injury Protection Benefit. The NFLPA's website say it is successful in 'considerably more than half' of the overall grievances filed, which also includes injury cases. Best of Tennis Prize Money Tracker: Which Player Has Earned the Most in 2025? Browns Officially Get Public Money for New Stadium in Ohio Budget WNBA Franchise Valuations Ranking List: From Golden State to Atlanta
Argaam
4 days ago
- Business
- Argaam
Yaqeen Capital notified of Al-Mozaini terminating Nomu listing deal
Yaqeen Capital said it received a notice from Hamad and Ahmed Mohammed Al-Mozaini Real Estate Co. to terminate the agreement to arrange the company's listing on the Nomu-Parallel Market, according to a statement to Tadawul. On June 4, Yaqeen Capital signed an agreement with Al-Mozaini to arrange the latter's IPO on Nomu, according to data available with Argaam. Upon completion of all stages, the revenues generated from the transaction were expected to exceed 5% of Yaqeen Capital's total revenues of SAR 89.48 million, based on the latest audited annual financials for 2024.
