A Democratic bill with 16 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act. It officially puts into law the authority of the Attorney General to appoint experienced immigration law experts as temporary immigration judges. The main goal is to help reduce the number of pending cases sitting in immigration courts. The bill outlines who is eligible to be appointed, such as former immigration judges, administrative law judges, and experienced Department of Justice attorneys. It also sets rules for training, oversight, and limits how long these temporary judges can serve.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill helps reduce pending case backlogs by providing highly experienced temporary judges to adjudicate immigration matters.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill aims to reduce case backlogs through the appointment of expert temporary judges, which can expedite the legal process for immigrants.
- Scored +3
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
By addressing immigration court backlogs, the bill may expedite legal outcomes for the significant Hispanic immigrant population.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3, amending Section 240(b)(1)(B)(i): This section allows the Attorney General to appoint experienced professionals—such as former immigration judges, appellate judges, and experienced attorneys—as temporary immigration judges. This might be considered positive because it brings knowledgeable experts in to help reduce the heavy backlog of pending cases in immigration courts.
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Section 3, amending Section 240(b)(1)(B)(iii): This provision requires the Attorney General, along with the Chief Immigration Judge, to establish procedures for training, caseload assignment, and performance oversight. This could be viewed as a positive benefit because it ensures that temporary judges receive proper initial training of at least eight weeks and ongoing training during their service, helping maintain quality decisions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section states the sense of Congress that temporary immigration judges are not meant to replace permanent immigration judges or be used instead of appointing permanent ones. While stated as a goal, relying on temporary positions capped at certain lengths rather than hiring permanent judges could be viewed as a burden or limitation by people who want a permanent, long-term solution to the court backlogs.
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Section 3, amending Section 240(b)(1)(B)(iv): This part limits temporary immigration judges to serving up to four consecutive six-month terms (a maximum of two years) and forces them to wait at least three years after their service ends before they can be reappointed. This restriction could be seen as a negative outcome if experienced temporary judges are forced to leave before the court backlog is fully resolved.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill helps reduce pending case backlogs by providing highly experienced temporary judges to adjudicate immigration matters. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — By addressing immigration court backlogs, the bill may expedite legal outcomes for the significant Hispanic immigrant population.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill aims to reduce case backlogs through the appointment of expert temporary judges, which can expedite the legal process for immigrants.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes formal oversight and performance evaluation procedures for temporary immigration judges.
- 9/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 16 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BennetDemocrat · Colorado
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Christopher MurphyDemocrat · Connecticut
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts