Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized sending hundreds of military lawyers to the Justice Department to temporarily serve as immigration judges, according to a memo cited by the Associated Press. The plan involves deploying groups of 150 attorneys “as soon as practicable,” with a maximum capacity of 600 lawyers.

The initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s intensified focus on illegal immigration, including increased arrests, deportations, and military involvement in border enforcement. National Guard members have been deployed to U.S. cities for immigration-related tasks, while military bases are used to house individuals awaiting deportation and military aircraft facilitate their removal.

The move comes as immigration courts face a backlog of approximately 3.5 million cases, exacerbated by the departure of over 100 judges. A union representing immigration lawyers condemned the directive as “destructive,” arguing it undermines judicial integrity. Recent firings of judges, including 17 in July without stated cause, have further strained the system. Pentagon involvement would double the current judge workforce, with initial assignments limited to 179 days.

A DOJ spokesperson directed inquiries to the Defense Department, which referred questions to the White House. A senior official emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing the backlog, calling it a priority for all stakeholders.