The Department of Justice (DOJ) tapped forty-two new immigration judges with backgrounds in immigration enforcement. The new judges were sworn in across the country, from California and Texas to New Jersey and New York. The hires are part of greater push by the government to bring immigration courts in line with its’ stricter immigration enforcement measures.
Background
Historically, immigration judges aren’t part of the judiciary but the DOJ. The government explained they have the right to remove and install judges that are inferior officers. Multiple immigration judges were dismissed over the course of the past year.
Importance
The forty-two new immigration judges came off the heals of twenty other permanent hires. This means the DOJ announced sixty-six new immigration judges since October 2025. Additionally, the government’s hired dozens of temporary judges.
Most of these judges, both temporary and permanent, have backgrounds in law enforcement or the military. According to Reuters, at least one third of the new hires have a background in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In contrast, many of the judges they replaced had backgrounds in the judiciary or immigration.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, please contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws and policy updates. In an ever-evolving immigration landscape, it’s particularly critical you get the right advice.