Most people assume that ALJ's are Court Judges, they are not. There are approx. 1200 ALJ's in the Federal system, in 29 Departments. Immigration,Workers Comp,Customs,OHSHA, Social Security etc. They are employees ie, they submit a resume, sit an exam and compete in interviews.
They are hired as Federal employees GS-15 and above.They are subject to Federal Regulations in hiring and firing and like all Federal employees are protected by the Merit Systems Protection Board.
However,as employees they are entitled to join a Trades Union.There are only 220 ALJ's in the Immigration system with a vast backlog of cases.
The vast majority of ALJ's are gunshy trial lawyers.
Here's the problem as I see it. Certain unions are promoting the idea that illegals should be unionized, and allowed to stay in this nation. I see this as a conflict of interest.
Which brings up a good question. Is publicly criticising a rule something that could bring an ALJ's objectivity into question, leading to termination or transfer?