Erez Reuveni
Name: Erez Reuveni
Current Status: Former Acting Deputy Director, Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL), U.S. Department of Justice
Employment Ended: April 11, 2025 (termination under appeal)
Party Affiliation: Not publicly confirmed
Birth Details: Not publicly confirmed
Career Overview
Erez Reuveni served nearly 15 years at the U.S. Department of Justice, specializing in immigration and constitutional litigation. Beginning his career in 2010 at the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) within the Civil Division, he rose through the ranks under both Democratic and Republican administrations. In March 2025, he was promoted to Acting Deputy Director of OIL, General Litigation and Appeals, overseeing over 100 attorneys handling cases in federal district courts nationwide.
His tenure ended abruptly in April 2025 after he refused directives from political leadership that, according to his whistleblower disclosure, would have required him to misrepresent facts in court and disregard judicial orders.
Public Service
Throughout his DOJ career, Reuveni defended government policies across multiple administrations. He was praised by supervisors as “one of OIL’s premier litigators,” earning nine Civil Division awards and multiple “excellent” performance ratings.
Under President Trump’s first term, he defended immigration initiatives such as the “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry” Executive Order (2017), often referred to as the travel ban. During President Biden’s administration, he led defenses of asylum and parole programs at the southern border. His work continued into the second Trump administration, where he managed high-stakes immigration and national security litigation.
Major Cases and Actions
J.G.G. v. Trump (2025): Reuveni witnessed and reported internal DOJ discussions about defying a court order blocking deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. He raised concerns when flights carrying Venezuelan detainees departed despite judicial injunctions.
D.V.D. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2025): He documented alleged violations of an injunction prohibiting removals to third countries without torture screenings, highlighting conflicts between DOJ leadership and agency compliance.
Abrego Garcia v. Noem (2025): Reuveni represented the government in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported in error to El Salvador. He refused instructions to file a brief falsely labeling Garcia a terrorist, citing ethical obligations. His termination followed days later.
His disclosures allege DOJ and White House officials knowingly defied court orders, misled judges, and engaged in retaliation against career attorneys. These claims have prompted congressional inquiries and judicial concern about the department’s candor to the courts.
Education and Early Life
Specific details about Reuveni’s early life and education are not publicly confirmed. Public records indicate he was trained in federal litigation and administrative law, but his law school and undergraduate institutions have not been disclosed.
Publications
No books or authored law review articles are publicly confirmed under his name as of October 2025. His public statements have primarily appeared through legal filings and media interviews concerning government accountability and professional ethics in federal litigation.
Public Image and Focus
Since April 2025, Reuveni has become known as a federal whistleblower emphasizing adherence to the rule of law and attorney ethics. His disclosure, filed through the Government Accountability Project and Gilbert Employment Law, asserts that he was terminated for refusing to mislead a court. Several members of Congress have called for his reinstatement and an investigation into the conduct he reported.
His case has become emblematic of the tension between political directives and ethical obligations in federal service.
Personal Life
Not publicly confirmed. Reuveni has not shared personal or family information publicly.
Fast Facts
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Nearly 15 years at the Department of Justice (2010–2025)
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Served as Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Immigration Litigation
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Oversaw more than 100 attorneys handling federal immigration cases
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Received nine DOJ Civil Division awards for excellence
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Defended major immigration policies across three administrations
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Fired April 11, 2025, after refusing to submit a misleading court brief
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Filed a protected whistleblower disclosure under 5 U.S.C. § 2302 and § 1213
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Subject of congressional letters urging DOJ oversight and reinstatement
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Reported defiance of federal court orders under the Alien Enemies Act
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Continues to advocate for rule-of-law protections within the DOJ
