The Department of Justice has sworn in 82 new immigration judges, marking a significant staffing increase for the nation's overwhelmed immigration courts. The move comes as the Biden administration seeks to address a mounting backlog of cases while prioritizing deportation proceedings.
Capacity Boost to Tackle Backlog
With these additions, the total number of immigration judges now stands at 734, the highest figure in U.S. history. The Justice Department emphasized that the new judges will focus on accelerating deportation cases for individuals who entered the country illegally or overstayed visas.
Each of these new judges represents additional capacity to process cases fairly and efficiently.
Prioritizing Sovereignty
The hiring spree follows the departure of dozens of immigration judges during the Trump administration, which left many courts understaffed. Immigration courts currently face a backlog exceeding 1.6 million cases, a number that reflects the strain placed on the system by ongoing border challenges and visa overstays.
The Biden administration has framed the move as part of a broader effort to maintain immigration enforcement while upholding sovereign priorities. By increasing court capacity, officials aim to reduce wait times for legal immigrants seeking status adjustments while ensuring swift removal of those deemed ineligible to remain.
This expansion comes amid heightened focus on immigration enforcement. The Justice Department confirmed that the new judges will be deployed to courts in high-volume areas, including border states and major cities facing significant immigration case loads.