EOIR announced the appointment of 24 new immigration judges. This includes four Assistant Chief Immigration Judges and two Unit Chief Immigration Judges. The memo provides a biography for each judge.
They will join the newest BIA member, Appellate Immigration Judge Andrea Saenz. The qualifications for a career as an immigration judge include a law degree, active membership in the bar, a license to practice as a lawyer, and at least seven years of experience as a practicing attorney. All told, an aspiring immigration lawyer needs a total of seven years of full-time study after high school to obtain a Juris Doctor degree. He will also need a few more months to pass the bar exam. Additionally, he must meet local bar association requirements.
24 New Immigration Judges Appointed — what it means for cases, backlogs, and practitioners
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) recently announced the appointment of 24 new adjudicators — a mix of immigration judges and appellate immigration judges — who will join immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals to help process removal and relief cases.
The immediate practical effects
- More hearing capacity: new judges increase bench capacity and can help move calendars forward, reducing wait times for some hearings. The effect depends on swearing-in and assignment speed.
- Regional impacts vary: placements across multiple states mean local relief will depend on assignments and local caseloads (California, New York, Texas, etc.).
- Board benefits: appointing appellate immigration judges to the BIA can shorten appeal cycles over time.
Practical checklist for practitioners
- Confirm judge assignments and review any new standing orders or case-management preferences.
- Prioritize time-sensitive motions (bond, stay, motions to reopen) to use newly available hearing slots.
- Notify clients and update calendars if hearings are reassigned.
Key sources: EOIR appointment notice; reporting on recent judge departures and EOIR staffing updates.
