Stop Military Lawyers From Serving As Immigration Judges

Defend the Integrity of Immigration Courts I urge you to oppose the plan to repurpose up to 600 U.S. military lawyers as temporary immigration judges. Immigration law is highly specialized and affects families, refugees, and asylum seekers. Appointing individuals without proper training undermines due process and erodes public trust. The National Institute of Military Justice, a nonpartisan authority on military law, has warned against this plan because of its risks to fairness and constitutional integrity. Require True Expertise for Immigration Judges Civilian immigration judges undergo months of training and mentorship before hearing cases. They must master statutes, regulations, and precedent. By contrast, military lawyers would receive only a short crash course - far less than what new civilian judges get. Expecting them to handle complex asylum and removal cases is unrealistic and will likely lead to errors with serious consequences. Protect Judicial Independence from Political Pressure Judicial independence is already under strain. More than 100 immigration judges have recently been fired or left - 17 terminated without cause - raising concerns about political influence. Temporary, inexperienced judges are even more vulnerable. Immigration hearings decide whether families are separated, asylum seekers find refuge, or lawful residents remain. These cases demand judges insulated from political pressure and guided only by law and fact. Keep Military Roles Separate from Civilian Justice Immigration adjudication is a civilian function. Using military personnel for this role expands military involvement in domestic law. A core principle in national life is that civilian and military functions must remain separate, and preserving that separation is vital to the integrity of our justice system. Demand Civilian Solutions and Congressional Oversight I respectfully urge you to: • Oppose the deployment of military lawyers as immigration judges. • Support funding and hiring to expand the ranks of qualified civilian judges. • Ensure strong congressional oversight to preserve fairness, independence, and the rule of law. Immigration courts must be staffed by judges with training, independence, and integrity. Protecting this system is not only about backlogs - it is about safeguarding the credibility of American justice.