Florida Plans Deputizing National Guardsmen as Immigration Judges to Expedite Deportations

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is advancing plans to deputize Florida National Guard Judge Advocate General Corps officers (JAGs) as immigration judges to expedite the deportation process, with support from President Donald Trump. The initiative, contingent on federal approval, aims to speed up immigration hearings by training nine JAG officers within six weeks, enabling rapid processing of detainees at facilities like the newly opened "Alligator Alcatraz." While DeSantis and Trump highlight this approach as a means to efficiently enforce immigration laws and reduce detention times, legal experts caution that the complexity of immigration law may result in unqualified judges who could issue denials without proper legal understanding. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline migrant processing at Florida detention centers, including the use of National Guard personnel and other state resources, which DeSantis argues will cut through bureaucratic delays. Separately, the ACLU of Florida has sued DeSantis for missing a constitutional deadline to appoint a new circuit judge, arguing this delay undermines timely access to justice and could affect election timelines for the judicial seat. These developments reflect ongoing tensions in Florida over judicial appointments and immigration enforcement under DeSantis's administration, with strong federal backing from President Trump.