Congress proposes new court to handle immigration cases exclusively

In a proposal discussed recently, an attorney who served as a clerk for the Ninth Circuit suggests the establishment of a new Article III Court of Immigration Review (COIR) to streamline the handling of immigration appeals. This initiative comes in the wake of ongoing debates regarding the effectiveness of current immigration judicial processes in the United States, especially under the scrutiny of various administration policies. The proposed COIR would be tasked with exclusive authority over all immigration-related cases, thereby eliminating the need for district courts to hear these appeals. As it stands, the current judicial framework allows for significant backlog and potential inconsistencies in rulings tied to immigration law. The Ninth Circuit is noted for significant immigration case volume, with up to 30% of its caseload stemming from immigration appeals. During the Biden administration, challenges to immigration policy predominantly came from conservative states in venues favored by the Fifth Circuit, emphasizing the charged political landscape around immigration issues. By creating the COIR, advocates argue there will be a consistent application of immigration law, as it would have a focused panel of judges experienced solely in immigration issues. This model mirrors other specialized courts, such as the Federal Circuit, which addresses patent appeals, showcasing a strategy that has historically been applied to balance judicial efficiency with specialized legal needs. The proposal stresses that such a court would not involve judges in broader contentious issues, allowing for a concentrated effort to resolve immigration matters specifically. The necessity of reform is intensified by the observation that many asylum claims processed currently are deemed without merit, leading to prolonged legal disputes that clog judicial resources. As the public opinion leans toward more controlled immigration policies, the COIR aims to reflect the demand for expedited and uniform immigration law enforcement, aligning judicial review with legislative intent over immigration reforms.