Immigration judges union, a frequent critic, is told to get approval before speaking publicly

Elliott Spagat for the Associated Press reports that the immigration judges union has been ordered to get supervisor approval to speak publicly to anyone outside the Justice Department. The National Association of Immigration Judges has spoken regularly at public forums, in interviews with reporters and with congressional staff. It has advocated for more independence and free legal representation. ” The Feb. 15 order requires Justice Department approval “to participate in writing engagements (e.g., articles; blogs) and speaking engagements (e.g., speeches; panel discussions; interviews).” Sheila McNulty, the chief immigration judge, referred to a 2020 decision by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to strip the union of collective bargaining power and said its earlier rights were “not valid at present.”   Click the link above for details.

KJ