Summary
The U.S. government has called up around 600 military lawyers to temporarily serve as immigration judges to address a shortage. The Justice Department has lowered the requirements to qualify as temporary immigration judges, allowing these military lawyers to start after two weeks of training. This decision is part of efforts to handle a backlog of nearly 4 million immigration cases.
Key Facts
- 600 military lawyers are authorized to serve as temporary immigration judges.
- 150 of these lawyers may begin their roles as soon as this week.
- Temporary immigration judges no longer need prior immigration experience.
- Immigration judges decide on revocations of green cards and deportations.
- Immigration courts face a large backlog, with nearly 4 million cases pending.
- Over 100 immigration judges have left their positions in the past nine months.
- The U.S. Congress allocated over $3 billion to hire more immigration judges.
- Military lawyers will receive two weeks of training for the temporary role.
