AILA President Allen Orr Responds to Biden Administration Recognition of Immigration Judges’ Labor Union

WASHINGTON, DC – Allen Orr, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) welcomed news that the Biden administration reversed the position taken by the previous administration and has once again recognized the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) as the labor union for immigration judges with the following statement:

“This is a welcome step as the Biden administration begins to restore the semblance of independence and integrity that were stripped from the immigration courts by the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the Biden administration also rescinded onerous case quotas its predecessor imposed on judges. Much more is needed, and AILA urges the leadership of EOIR to end the use of ‘black box’ courts that are shielded from public accountability and many other practices that compromise due process. Finally, the life and death decisions made by immigration judges every day cannot remain under the thumb of the Justice Department which prosecutes immigration cases. For that reason, AILA urges Congress to create a fully independent Article I court that is impartial, independent, and free from political pressure.”

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 21120806.