On Friday (March 30), the Department of Justice (DOJ) unveiled new production quotas for immigration judges aimed at expediting deportations. The directive will require judges to clear 700 cases a year or face negative performance reviews. The announcement comes as the Trump administration weighs other measures that would speed up deportations of children arrested at the border.
Immigration judges—and the union that represents them—expressed concern that immigration cases, which vary in complexity, will be rushed through the court system, jeopardizing judicial independence and integrity.
The DOJ directive comes as Trump administration officials mull other measures to hasten deportations. They include ending protections against the immediate deportation of unaccompanied children arrested at the border.
The recent Trump administration announcements follow a multi-pronged attack on the country’s immigration system.
Read More: Department of Justice Sets Quotas for Immigration Judges to Speed Up Deportations
