DOJ Swears In 36 Immigration Judges As Backlog Nears 4 Million; Charlotte Court Adds Temporary Judge

DOJ installed 36 immigration judges nationwide—25 of them temporary—amid a near 4 million-case backlog. Charlotte’s immigration court, now with five judges, received a temporary judge as its pending caseload tops 130,000, eighth-highest in the U.S. Recent rule changes allow temporary judges without prior immigration-law experience, prompting due-process concerns from advocates. Courts remain open during the federal shutdown as DOJ cites a national border emergency.