Cuellar Pushes for Additional Judges to Address Backlog of Immigration Court Cases at the Southern Border
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Today Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee announced that he secured 100 new immigration judges in the fiscal year 2020 appropriations bill for the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Each immigration judge is supported by a team; one attorney one legal assistant; and up to two other positions (additional legal assistant interpreter and/or other mission support staff).
In addition to securing immigration judge teams Congressman Cuellar secured funding to ensure these additional immigration judges have adequate court space to conduct immigration court proceedings and language that promotes immigration court efficiency.
Securing New Immigration Judges
For years Congressman Cuellar has made it a priority to place additional immigration judges into border communities. He helped secure:
- In FY16 language hiring at least 55;
- In FY17 language hiring at least 10 judges;
- In FY18 language hiring at least 100 judges;
- In FY19 language hiring at least 50 judges.
- In FY20 language hiring at least 100 judges.
For a total of 315 judges.
Immigration Court Space
While authorized 484 Immigration Judges EOIR only has 426 courtrooms. Congressman Cuellar ensured the committee provided adequate funding that supports EOIRs acquisition of additional court space.
