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Post by gary on Jan 22, 2016 13:11:29 GMT -5
Finally got word that I will be starting next month, with the training in Falls Church first 2 weeks of March. Other information I have picked up (some of it unconfirmed) is that there will be trainings for new Immigration Judges every month or two through the year as they get groups of new hires together and that each training group will be around 8-9 IJs. Some of this may just be a function of the fact that the applicants' background checks are being completed in a slow, steady trickle. Or, maybe the large number of judges they intend to hire would be too difficult to manage in just one or two classes, and they want to get the judges into the courts as soon as possible once the background checks are completed. I also heard that there may be some second round interviews coming up (presumably for the 8/2014 application crowd), and I know of one offer that was extended in January (for someone who completed both interviews before the end of the year). I have not heard about any first round interviews being set yet for the Nov. 2015 applications. As I embark on this new adventure, I want to thank everyone on this board for all of the information (and speculation) and support. Both the ALJ and IJ application processes have had their excruciating and inexplicable aspects. But, this forum has been a place to help regain perspective and to get some comfort just from knowing there are a lot of us out there looking to make a career change and hoping for a positive outcome. I wish all the best to the new IJs who will start this year, but also to all of those who are starting as SSA ALJs in February and those still on the Register who will (hopefully) get picked up in the next few rounds of hiring. I think most of us have a realistic view of what these jobs will be like (the good, the bad, and the ugly), yet feel it will be a good career move for a variety of reasons. Wherever you end up, may you be successful and content. Congratulations! And good luck as you embark on your new gig.
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medsjet
Full Member
I'm all about the communal obsessive speculation....
Posts: 31
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Post by medsjet on Jan 22, 2016 23:06:25 GMT -5
Finally got word that I will be starting next month, with the training in Falls Church first 2 weeks of March. Other information I have picked up (some of it unconfirmed) is that there will be trainings for new Immigration Judges every month or two through the year as they get groups of new hires together and that each training group will be around 8-9 IJs. Some of this may just be a function of the fact that the applicants' background checks are being completed in a slow, steady trickle. Or, maybe the large number of judges they intend to hire would be too difficult to manage in just one or two classes, and they want to get the judges into the courts as soon as possible once the background checks are completed. I also heard that there may be some second round interviews coming up (presumably for the 8/2014 application crowd), and I know of one offer that was extended in January (for someone who completed both interviews before the end of the year). I have not heard about any first round interviews being set yet for the Nov. 2015 applications. As I embark on this new adventure, I want to thank everyone on this board for all of the information (and speculation) and support. Both the ALJ and IJ application processes have had their excruciating and inexplicable aspects. But, this forum has been a place to help regain perspective and to get some comfort just from knowing there are a lot of us out there looking to make a career change and hoping for a positive outcome. I wish all the best to the new IJs who will start this year, but also to all of those who are starting as SSA ALJs in February and those still on the Register who will (hopefully) get picked up in the next few rounds of hiring. I think most of us have a realistic view of what these jobs will be like (the good, the bad, and the ugly), yet feel it will be a good career move for a variety of reasons. Wherever you end up, may you be successful and content. Thank you aljwatch. As one who is pursuing both IJ and ALJ tracks, I have appreciated your comments regarding the IJ track. There is no forum out there for IJs like this ALJ Discussion Board so we are left wondering with no word. Congratulations to you and if you hear of anything in the future regarding IJ hires keep us mind on this forum! Best of luck to you as you embark on a new career.
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Post by jessejames on Jan 23, 2016 0:45:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the information and Congratulations:)
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Post by robespierre on Jan 23, 2016 19:40:26 GMT -5
Thanks and congratulations, ALJWatch!
I hope this doesn't mean you're off this board permanently. We need your intel and wisdom.
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Post by jafo on Jan 28, 2016 9:05:56 GMT -5
Late congrats to ALJWatch! Does anyone else know of anyone starting in March, or how many? The few I know of that have received offers still have not received a start date, only assurances that it will be forthcoming (which is still a pretty nice thing to know).
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Post by wingnut on Jan 28, 2016 11:57:42 GMT -5
Hey ALJWatch. Way to go! Congratulations and I hope you really enjoy your new adventure. Hope you can come around sometimes to say "Hi."
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Post by jafo on Feb 5, 2016 7:58:03 GMT -5
EOIR just announced the investiture of nine IJs off of the 2014 announcement. I'm assuming ALJWatch's class will be about the same size, as will following classes (at least one, probably more) for those that have received their offers. All of this hiring is from the 2014 announcement - not sure how many vacancies will be left for the November 2015 applicants. www.justice.gov/eoir/pr/executive-office-immigration-review-swears-nine-immigration-judges
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Post by aljwatch on Feb 7, 2016 18:00:03 GMT -5
I think there will be plenty of vacancies to be filled. From what I heard, it sounds like the hires from the Sep/2014 ad are going to be coming on board in groups of 8-9 all year long (maybe through the end of the fiscal year in Sept?) in classes every month or so. The hires also seem to be more spread throughout the country (since the initial hires, which were heavily concentrated in Texas/California).
Haven't heard of any movement (i.e. first interviews being scheduled) on the Nov/2015 ad yet.
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medsjet
Full Member
I'm all about the communal obsessive speculation....
Posts: 31
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Post by medsjet on Feb 7, 2016 21:06:13 GMT -5
I think there will be plenty of vacancies to be filled. From what I heard, it sounds like the hires from the Sep/2014 ad are going to be coming on board in groups of 8-9 all year long (maybe through the end of the fiscal year in Sept?) in classes every month or so. The hires also seem to be more spread throughout the country (since the initial hires, which were heavily concentrated in Texas/California). Haven't heard of any movement (i.e. first interviews being scheduled) on the Nov/2015 ad yet. Thanks again aljwatch. It seems that DOJ has plenty of highly-qualified applicants from the 2014 openings. Who knows when they will ever get to the November 2015 applications. However, I do note that there were some 51 openings in November 2015 which was vastly greater than the 2014 job announcements. So, I am hoping that DOJ is looking to hire many more people over the next couple of years. Again, don't be a stranger to the Board! We will continue to seek any tidbit of info we can from hires like yourself. Congrats and good luck in your new adventure.
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Post by wacokid on Feb 8, 2016 7:30:44 GMT -5
I think there will be plenty of vacancies to be filled. From what I heard, it sounds like the hires from the Sep/2014 ad are going to be coming on board in groups of 8-9 all year long (maybe through the end of the fiscal year in Sept?) in classes every month or so. The hires also seem to be more spread throughout the country (since the initial hires, which were heavily concentrated in Texas/California). Haven't heard of any movement (i.e. first interviews being scheduled) on the Nov/2015 ad yet. Do you know if second interviews for the hires you reference -- the groups of 8-9 continuing monthly through FY 16 -- are finished?
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Post by batman1463 on Feb 8, 2016 10:32:44 GMT -5
One thing we should all keep in mind is that over half of the existing immigration judge corpse are eligible for retirement. It would appear that EOIR is recruiting not just to fill existing vacancies, but to address the overall IJ shortage that exists nationwide.
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Post by sealaw90 on Feb 8, 2016 11:28:18 GMT -5
One thing we should all keep in mind is that over half of the existing immigration judge corpse are eligible for retirement. It would appear that EOIR is recruiting not just to fill existing vacancies, but to address the overall IJ shortage that exists nationwide. Thanks for the intel and glad to know that a corpse can still retire from federal service.
I knew this was a great gig, but I didn't know how good.
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Post by batman1463 on Feb 8, 2016 13:04:27 GMT -5
Spell check has let me down once again (smile). It's been that kind of day.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Feb 8, 2016 20:32:25 GMT -5
Spell check has let me down once again (smile). It's been that kind of day. Anyone with batman in their name is going to do well.
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medsjet
Full Member
I'm all about the communal obsessive speculation....
Posts: 31
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Post by medsjet on Feb 8, 2016 21:03:18 GMT -5
One thing we should all keep in mind is that over half of the existing immigration judge corpse are eligible for retirement. It would appear that EOIR is recruiting not just to fill existing vacancies, but to address the overall IJ shortage that exists nationwide. Batman1463, Thanks for the motivation bump. Where do you get your stat that over 1/2 of the existing immigration judges are eligible for retirement? This is certainly good news for those of us waiting, but I have been unable to find any credible evidence of this proposition. Thanks.
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Post by jafo on Feb 9, 2016 8:52:33 GMT -5
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Post by batman1463 on Feb 9, 2016 9:16:03 GMT -5
Jafo is correct regarding the total number actually retiring. However, several articles referencing the increase in case loads is causing many of the senior IJs to consider that option. Only time will tell, I suppose.
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Post by aljwatch on Feb 9, 2016 9:18:39 GMT -5
yes, the info about retirement eligibility is right. I suspect that many IJs who have been eligible have put off retiring because of the department's inability to hire for the past few years. Now that hiring is in full-swing, I suspect many of those who have been wanting to retire will actually do it. (I have heard of many who have recently retired and many who intend to retire in the coming year). Thus, I think Batman is right that the current round of hiring and the hiring under the Nov. 2015 will be substantial, so that they both increase the number of IJ's and fill the spots of those retiring. It is both a good time to be on the Register and a good time to be applying for IJ positions!
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medsjet
Full Member
I'm all about the communal obsessive speculation....
Posts: 31
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Post by medsjet on Feb 9, 2016 22:39:24 GMT -5
yes, the info about retirement eligibility is right. I suspect that many IJs who have been eligible have put off retiring because of the department's inability to hire for the past few years. Now that hiring is in full-swing, I suspect many of those who have been wanting to retire will actually do it. (I have heard of many who have recently retired and many who intend to retire in the coming year). Thus, I think Batman is right that the current round of hiring and the hiring under the Nov. 2015 will be substantial, so that they both increase the number of IJ's and fill the spots of those retiring. It is both a good time to be on the Register and a good time to be applying for IJ positions! Thank you aljwatch, batman and JAO.
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Post by jafo on Feb 20, 2016 17:58:38 GMT -5
If there are still people interested (I know most are concerned about ALJ), "first interview" calls have been made to some of those who applied to the 2015 IJ announcement.
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