Immigration judges change the fate of those whose cases they hear, ruling whether they can stay or must leave the United States. This being so, the least that should be expected of these judges is that they have experience in this field. Unfortunately, such is not the case.
A recently released Department of Justice report concluded that appointments of immigration judges often took into account candidates’ positions on abortion, firearms, gays, and Republican credentials, among other criteria. Their knowledge of immigration was irrelevant, despite this being recognized as one of the most complex areas in law.
Among the 72 judges named by the Bush Administration was an activist who participated in an effort to stop the recounting of ballots during the 2000 election in Florida. Another has his expertise in pornography law and one was appointed to the immigration courts after having been rejected by the tax courts. To this list must be added other political cronies and campaign advisors. These appointments can last well beyond this Administration.
We are outraged that the Bush Administration used a different criteria for selection of immigration judges, throwing aside experience and knowledge and making the judgeships political rewards. The Administration placed uninformed people in positions where they made critical life and death decisions about family separation and political asylum, something they know nothing about.
The judges appointed under these conditions should not serve, but that is another story. In the meanwhile, immigrants will remain at the mercy of this disgraceful judicial situation.
