Military Lawyers to Assist with Immigration Cases
In a recent decision, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has allowed up to 600 military lawyers to support the Justice Department as temporary immigration judges. This move is aimed at easing the heavy backlog of immigration cases in the U.S. courts.
Starting soon, the military will send groups of 150 attorneys, including both military and civilian lawyers. The first batch is expected to be identified early next week. This action is part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to tighten immigration control, which has included increased arrests and deportations.
The immigration courts are already struggling with a staggering backlog of around 3.5 million cases. The situation worsened recently when over 100 immigration judges were fired or resigned under the current administration. This has thinned the ranks of judges to roughly 600, so adding military lawyers could significantly double their numbers.
The request for military assistance came directly from the Justice Department. The temporary role of these military lawyers will last up to 179 days, with the possibility for extensions. A spokesperson from the DOJ mentioned that they are exploring various options to address the backlog of cases, including hiring more immigration judges.
Ensuring compliance with the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement, is crucial. The DOJ is tasked with safeguarding against any violations as military lawyers step into these roles.
Interestingly, a recent court ruling had ruled against deploying National Guard troops for similar purposes, stating it violated federal law. This has raised questions about how effective military assistance will be in this context.
Military attorneys, known as judge advocates, typically handle a variety of legal tasks in the armed forces. They could find themselves in a challenging position, balancing their military duties with the demands of immigration cases, which can often take years to resolve.
Overall, this decision reflects a significant shift in how immigration issues are managed in the U.S. It also highlights the mounting pressures on the judicial system and the need for innovative solutions that adapt to this evolving landscape.
For further reading on immigration and court backlogs, you can refer to Department of Justice Reports.
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