Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act

Sponsor: Juan Vargas (Democratic-CA)December 5, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Immigration courts could get temporary judges to help handle cases more quickly.

This bill would let the Attorney General hire experienced legal professionals as temporary immigration judges. These judges would help handle the many waiting immigration cases. This could make the court process faster for people waiting for decisions. They would have the same power as permanent judges but serve for limited terms.

What Would Change

Currently, the law does not specifically allow the Attorney General to appoint temporary immigration judges. This bill would change the Immigration and Nationality Act to formally give the Attorney General this power. It would create a new category of temporary judges with specific qualifications, training, and term limits, all aimed at reducing the number of pending cases in immigration courts.

Key Provisions

Lets the Attorney General appoint experienced legal experts as temporary immigration judges for renewable 6-month terms.
Gives these temporary immigration judges the same power as permanent judges to decide cases and manage court matters.
Sets rules for who can be a temporary judge, including former immigration judges and certain attorneys with at least 10 years of immigration law experience.
Requires the Attorney General to create management and training rules for temporary judges, including at least 8 weeks of initial training for most.
Limits temporary judges to serving a total of 4 consecutive 6-month terms, or 2 years, with a 3-year waiting period before reappointment if they reach the limit.

View on Congress.gov

HR 6497 · 119th Congress · December 5, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10

Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity