Military lawyers called up to relieve a shortfall in immigration judges

"About 600 military lawyers have been authorized to work for the Justice Department as temporary immigration judges, with 150 of them potentially starting as soon as this week, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The move comes after the Justice Department last week made changes to who could qualify as a temporary immigration judge effectively lowering the requirements and removing the need to have prior immigration experience."

"The military lawyers will receive some two weeks of training to serve as temporary immigration judges, according to the U.S. official. As part of its aggressive immigration policy, the Trump administration has moved fast to increase the rate of arrests of undocumented immigration, and scale up detention space and deportations. But the rapid pace of arrests has contributed to the millions of cases backlogged at the Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review, which houses immigration courts."

"The Homeland Security Department, which oversees immigration law enforcement, has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign for deportation officers, investigators and attorneys, spurred by an influx of more funds from Congress. President Trump earlier this year also voiced support for a plan in Florida to deputize members of the state's National Guard military lawyers, known as the Judge Advocate General's Corps, to act as immigration judges."

About 600 military lawyers have been authorized to serve as temporary immigration judges, with roughly 150 possibly starting immediately. Qualification rules were changed to lower requirements and remove the need for prior immigration experience. The military lawyers will receive about two weeks of training before serving. The Trump administration increased arrests, detention capacity and deportations, contributing to a growing backlog at the Executive Office for Immigration Review. EOIR lost over 100 judges in nine months, down from about 700 earlier in the year. Homeland Security launched nationwide recruitment after increased congressional funding, and a Florida plan to deputize JAG lawyers received presidential support.

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