Democrats seek limits on who can serve as immigration judges amid mass layoffs

"A bill introduced on Wednesday by California's Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Juan Vargas would authorize the attorney general to appoint temporary immigration judges that have served on appellate panels, are administrative judges in other agencies, or have 10 years of immigration law experience. Such limits would preclude much of the administration's effort to authorize up to 600 military lawyers to be temporary immigration judges; as part of that move, the White House scrapped the requirement that temporary immigration judges should have immigration law experience."

"The legislation was introduced after the administration fired at least 14 immigration judges in the last two weeks, according to the union that represents them, with many of those having been terminated after years of experience on the bench. Those layoffs add to more than 90 other terminations so far this year, according to a count kept by NPR and the union that represents immigration judges."

"Former immigration judges and lawyers say that bringing on people without experience is a potential benefit for permanent judges seeking a long career as an immigration judge. But it can present a steep learning curve and potential violations of due process if a judge's stint is only months-long, as would be the case with military lawyers, or JAGs, they say."

California Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Juan Vargas introduced a bill authorizing the attorney general to appoint temporary immigration judges only if they have served on appellate panels, are administrative judges in other agencies, or possess ten years of immigration-law experience. The limits would block plans to use up to 600 military lawyers as temporary judges after the White House removed the immigration-experience requirement. The administration fired at least 14 immigration judges in two weeks and over 90 this year, according to union and NPR counts. The firings aim to reshape court personnel and case outcomes. Legal experts warn inexperienced temporary judges risk steep learning curves and potential due-process violations.

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