DOJ Rule Lets Any Lawyer Serve As Immigration Judge, Fast-Tracking Removals

DOJ’s EOIR finalized a rule allowing the Attorney General and EOIR director to appoint any attorney as a Temporary Immigration Judge for renewable six‑month terms, scrapping prior immigration‑law experience requirements. The move comes amid reported departures of 100+ permanent judges and a 3.7 million‑case backlog. Advocates warn of politicization and due‑process risks; EOIR cites training plans and the need to expand the pipeline quickly.