[woodpusher]

They are immigration judges. They are not Article III judges, are appointed by the Attorney General, and are part of the Executive Branch.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-V/subchapter-A/part-1001

8 C.F.R. § 1001.1

(l) The term immigration judge means an attorney whom the Attorney General appoints as an administrative judge within the Executive Office for Immigration Review, qualified to conduct specified classes of proceedings, including a hearing under section 240 of the Act. An immigration judge shall be subject to such supervision and shall perform such duties as the Attorney General shall prescribe, but shall not be employed by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

[zeestephen]

Re: "Immigration Judges are appointed by the Attorney General"

Thanks for your necessary corrections, woodpusher.

I think it might be more accurate to say that IJs are hired by the Director of Immigration Review and approved by the AG.

Also, many Immigration cases (probably a majority) are settled at the Administrative Law level, before they even reach an IJ.

Also, an IJ only needs a LL.B or LL.M and an active Bar membership.

Finally, the pay scale for an IJ was $120,000 to $195,000 in January 2025.

Good lawyers are not standing in line to earn $195,000 in any major urban area in the USA.

https://www.justice.gov/eoir/Adjudicators