Military Lawyers as Immigration Judges

According to a document seen by The Associated Press, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the deployment of up to 600 military attorneys to the Justice Department to act as temporary immigration judges. According to the Aug. 27 document, the military will start submitting groups of 150 lawyers, both military and civilian, to the Justice Department “as soon as practicable.” The military services should have the first round of applicants selected by next week. 

According to the document that the executive secretary of the Pentagon submitted to his counterpart at the DOJ, the Justice Department, which is in charge of the immigration courts, asked the Defense Department for help.  According to the statement, the military attorneys’ term as immigration judges would start off at a maximum of 179 days and may be extended.

Source: AP