DOJ Swears In 82 Immigration Judges After Ousting Scores Of Others
The Justice Department swore in 82 new immigration judges — 77 permanent and five temporary — on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Washington, D.C., to speed deportation cases.[1]
The class follows the ouster of more than 100 immigration judges over the past year, which cut the corps to under 600 from more than 700 when President Trump took office.[1] DOJ officials said the 2026 fiscal year hiring total for permanent immigration judges has now reached 153, and most new appointees previously served as ICE lawyers, criminal prosecutors, or military judge advocates.[1] Over the past year the Justice Department issued precedent decisions that narrowed when judges can grant asylum or bond, aligning the court overhaul with the administration's mass-deportation campaign.[1]
More than 100 immigration judges were ousted over the past year, prompting the department to accelerate hiring and to swear in replacements in Washington.[1] The Justice Department says the new judges are meant to help move cases faster amid an administration push for larger-scale deportations.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, DOJ swore in 77 permanent and 5 temporary immigration judges in Washington, D.C.
- The new class follows the ouster of more than 100 immigration judges over the past year, which had reduced the corps to under 600 from more than 700 when Trump took office.
- DOJ officials say the 2026 fiscal year hiring total has now reached 153 permanent immigration judges.
- Most new appointees previously served as ICE lawyers, criminal prosecutors, or military officers and judge advocates.
- Over the past year DOJ has issued precedent decisions limiting when judges can grant asylum or bond, aligning the court overhaul with the administration’s mass-deportation campaign.
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