Justice Department Swears In 82 New Immigration Judges

The Justice Department this week swore in 77 permanent immigration judges and 5 temporary immigration judges, officials said Thursday. The department described the group as the largest class of immigration judges in its history. D.C. Most had previously worked as Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawyers, prosecutors, or in military roles, according to department bios.

Some had served as state or local judges or in private practice.

President Trump took office, the Justice Department had more than 700 immigration judges. By earlier this year, that number had fallen below 600. Officials said the new class would bring the total back closer to 700. The additions follow the removal of dozens of immigration judges over the past year.

Justice Department officials said the administration has hired 153 permanent immigration judges in fiscal year 2026, which began in October 2025.

Immigration judges decide whether noncitizens facing deportation should be removed from the United States or allowed to stay. They are employees of the Justice Department rather than members of the independent judicial branch. Over the past year, the department has issued directives that restrict when immigration judges can grant asylum or release individuals from detention on bond.

5 million cases since January 2025. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration is committed to reestablishing an immigration judge corps dedicated to restoring the rule of law. Greg Chen, senior director for government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, said the changes show immigration courts are controlled by the president and used to execute the mass deportation campaign.