The judge granted a preliminary injunction sought by 20 Democrat-led states while their lawsuit over the funding moves ahead.

Both immigration judges say they were notified by email that they'd been fired, effective immediately, and were given no explanation for why.

The Trump administration has faced various legal setbacks in its efforts to implement sweeping deportations and immigration policies, with some of the judges issuing orders accusing officials of racism and unfavorable comparisons in dramatic opinions.