House Republicans are demanding answers regarding a recent Justice Department order that requires a union of immigration judges to obtain supervisor approval before speaking publicly about the overwhelmed immigration courts. The Judiciary Committee chair and the leader of an immigration subcommittee have requested records related to the reported gag order that prohibits immigration judges from discussing the Biden Administration's immigration crisis with Congress or the media.
The order has raised concerns as it appears to infringe upon federal employees' rights to communicate freely with Congress. The chief immigration judge informed the National Association of Immigration Judges that approval is now required for any public speaking or writing engagements. This directive follows a 2020 decision that stripped the union of its collective bargaining power, claiming that its previous rights are no longer valid.
The union, which has been vocal in criticizing the management of the immigration courts, has advocated for increased independence and access to legal representation. With over 3 million pending cases contributing to the backlog, the judges' union plays a crucial role in shedding light on the challenges faced by the immigration court system.
The president of the International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers expressed concerns over the order, questioning its motives and emphasizing the importance of transparency, especially given the current focus on immigration issues at the border. The House inquiry aims to uncover the reasons behind the restrictions and ensure that the voices of immigration judges are heard.
Despite the House Republicans' efforts to seek clarification, the immigration courts have not provided a response to the inquiries. A spokesperson for the courts declined to comment on personnel matters when approached earlier this month, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the implications of the Justice Department's directive.
