The U.S. Department of Defense is dispatching 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges, aiming to address a critical shortage of judicial personnel and reduce a backlog of over 1.3 million pending cases. The move, initiated under the Trump administration, follows resignations and dismissals of civilian judges, sparking debate over the militarization of domestic law enforcement.
Opposition Democrats have raised concerns about the implications of integrating military personnel into civilian judicial roles, arguing it risks eroding public trust in immigration proceedings. Proponents counter that the measure is a pragmatic response to systemic delays affecting asylum seekers and migrants.
Analysts note the deployment highlights broader challenges in U.S. immigration policy, with implications for cross-border labor flows and international perceptions of American governance. The temporary judges will undergo accelerated training but face scrutiny over their adherence to civilian legal standards.
