Immigration Judge (United States)

An immigration judge is appointed by (and works under the direction of) the U.S. Attorney General. In other words, under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), immigration judges act as representatives of the Attorney General and can only act according to authority delegated by the Attorney General (such as under the regulations) or by the INA. There are approximately 600 immigration judges located at 68 immigration courts and three adjudication centers across the United States. An immigration judge can either be a citizen or a national of the United States.