Shocka: Some immigration judges appointed by Bush lack immigration experience
posted at 2:18 pm on May 26, 2007 by Allahpundit
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I’m mildly suspicious given that it comes from the LA Times and there’s no attempt made to put a number on how many judges we’re talking about. But needless to say, cronyism in this administration — especially in this area — is all too plausible.
Over the last two years, U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales has appointed more than two dozen individuals as federal immigration judges.
The new jurists include a former treasurer of the Louisiana Republican Party, who was a legal advisor to the Bush Florida recount team after the 2000 presidential election. There is also a former GOP congressional aide who had tracked voter fraud issues for the Justice Department, and a Texan appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush to a seat on the state library commission.
One thing missing on many of their resumes: a background in immigration law.
These lawyers are among a growing number of the nation’s more than 200 immigration judges who have little or no experience in the law they were appointed to enforce.
The admission by former Justice Department official Monica M. Goodling this week that federal immigration judges were screened for their political credentials and loyalty to the Republican Party in possible violation of civil service laws is drawing new attention to the usually low-profile immigration bench.
The selection process that Goodling described also appeared at odds with Gonzales’ own stated efforts to reform the trouble-plagued immigration-law system by bringing in experts and establishing tougher performance standards for judges.
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Since the goal is such an overburdened system as to be completely ineffectual, cousin Vinny is just as useful to attain that goal as John Roberts would be.
Speakup on May 26, 2007 at 2:45 PM
Why is it necessary to be experienced in laws your not expected to enforce anyway?
Buck Turgidson on May 26, 2007 at 2:47 PM
Who wants to be an immigration judge? Probably not many.
I can get 25 applications for ‘designer’ at the wife’s flower shop but only 5 for someone to prep the flowers and clean the cooler. Probably has more to do with the applicant selection pool then dropping the ball on qualifications.
Limerick on May 26, 2007 at 2:54 PM
What this needs is another congressional investigation.
Valiant on May 26, 2007 at 3:40 PM
Remember, the Bush-appointed Federal Judge that put Campean and Ramos away had no experience except as a Family Court Judge? Anyone see a pattern here? If you are loyal to Bush, no matter your qualifications, you get appointed. Remember Harriat Myers? Gonzales is another good example of loyalty to Bush overriding Gonzales’ experience. In the State of Texas, Gonzales was Secretary of State! Doesn’t even qualify for Attorney General.
Neocon Peg on May 26, 2007 at 3:59 PM
Used to I would dismiss this type of story as leftist anti Bush propaganda but now I’m not so sure.
Buzzy on May 26, 2007 at 4:35 PM
Cronyism? Shocking!
I think when Bush makes political appointments, all he’s really doing is thumbing through his voice mails looking for an interesting name.
Lehosh on May 26, 2007 at 4:58 PM
Big deal over nothing.
Wade on May 26, 2007 at 7:08 PM
What does “experience” in a particular law or field do for a judge? Does it take different experience to read immigration law than say tax law? Obviously some of the terms are different but explainations are easily found. Is the experience part for determining sentence? Past rulings are available simply by asking a law clerk to research it for them. The only valid question in my mind is “Are they good judges?”
conservativecaveman on May 26, 2007 at 9:49 PM