Pentagon To Send 600 Military Lawyers As Temporary Immigration Judges, Accelerating Deportation Cases

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved detailing up to 600 military and civilian lawyers to the Justice Department as temporary immigration judges, deployed in waves of about 150 for 179-day terms, renewable. The move—requested by DOJ—follows mass departures and firings of immigration judges and aims to tackle a roughly 3.5 million-case backlog amid a broader enforcement push. Supporters say it will speed adjudications; unions and advocates warn of politicization, due‑process risks, and minimal training for non-immigration specialists.