Immigration Judge Positions

[aljhopefully]

Is it still the case that generally EOIR won't notify candidates that they weren't chosen? I read that in some prior posts, but those posts are from a while ago.

[neufenland]

Jul 7, 2024 23:20:25 GMT -5 aljhopefully said:

Is it still the case that generally EOIR won't notify candidates that they weren't chosen? I read that in some prior posts, but those posts are from a while ago.

In my experience with previous postings, you will not get any contact from EOIR directly, but eventually, the announcement will close and you’ll get the “you were not selected” boilerplate email from OPM/USAJOBS (people on here call it the “FOAD letter”).  That’s honestly better than some agencies; it’s still ghosting for many months, but you eventually get resolution.  I’ve interviewed for other positions in government that have gone “no contact” after the initial or follow-up interview (no replies to follow-up emails, no USAJOBS notifications…just nada. In that case, silence is your answer, and it’s a big fat “no”).  

Until the announcement on USAJOBS is closed, you’re still in it. Especially if you’ve interviewed, don’t give up.  Sometimes, it can take months or even the better part of a year.  

[ijcandidate]

Have those who have had a 2nd interview:
(1) heard anything from EOIR?
(2) had all of their references contacted via phone? (And if not, how many were contacted by phone?)

Trying to make sense of this very opaque process! Thanks in advance!

[Pixie]

From a board member:

"Hey Pixie, phone calls conveying tentative job offers for IJ positions are going out."

[simoneveil]

I had my second interview for the ACIJ position last week. Do they conduct reference checks on all candidates who receive a second interview? How soon after the second interview do they begin these checks?

[judgechamberlain]

I don’t have any insider info, just observations. I think they will contact references, and do all background work as quickly as possible connected with your second interview, but then there is a delay in the ultimate decision process, which delay has been decreased over the last few years quite a bit.

Cool user name, by the way. Mine is a little less historical- a reference to Fred Gwynne’s character in “My Cousin Vinny”.🤣

[neufenland]

How many people got hired last year? There was talk of it being over 100, but I don’t think it was that high? Or was it?

The proposed budget for FY25 only asks for 25 new IJs, I think (just looked it up). Seems FY24 was/is a little light, too, compared to last couple of years.

I imagine what happens in November could drive changes, one way or the other.

[judgechamberlain]

Without going back to do an exact count, I think FY23 had about 100-110 new IJs. FY24 has had 2 new classes, I believe- about 50 in total?

[Judge McJudgeypants]

So ….based on July 13’s anonymous post, I thought there would be more chatter this week about offers. I wonder if HR/hiring personnel contact EOIR candidates first, since getting DAG approval for them is easiest, and then contact external candidates later once the DAG has vetted and approved them? Or was that fly-by post all we are getting of offers anytime soon?

[neufenland]

Jul 19, 2024 13:22:13 GMT -5 Judge McJudgeypants said:

So ….based on July 13’s anonymous post, I thought there would be more chatter this week about offers. I wonder if HR/hiring personnel contact EOIR candidates first, since getting DAG approval for them is easiest, and then contact external candidates later once the DAG has vetted and approved them? Or was that fly-by post all we are getting of offers anytime soon?

I’m not sure how many come from EOIR directly.  Maybe other DOJ components like OIL or the USAO have some.  The government reps in the immigration courts come from DHS, though, and they make up a sizable group of IJs. 

[simoneveil]

It has been two weeks since my second interview for the ACIJ position, and my references have not been contacted. This is the first time I’ve applied, and not knowing how the process works makes me a bit anxious. Should I take this as a sign that I am not moving forward to the next phase of the process?

[azpanther]

Jul 22, 2024 9:39:13 GMT -5 simoneveil said:

It has been two weeks since my second interview for the ACIJ position, and my references have not been contacted. This is the first time I’ve applied, and not knowing how the process works makes me a bit anxious. Should I take this as a sign that I am not moving forward to the next phase of the process?

Not necessarily. Also more than likely there will be more ACIJ positions posted in the near future.

[enipcd]

Preparing to start IJ position soon. Are the pay increases standard year to year? I've heard that IJs typically cap out after 4 years, but is that only for the big cities?

[Pixie]

From a board member:

"Hey Pixie, can you ask this anon question in the Immigration Judge thread?

How long does it take to get a final offer after accepting a tentative offer? I completed all the HR paperwork but haven’t heard back. I was told latest EOD is September 16th."

[Pixie]

From a board member:

"Please post anonymously:

I am set to begin my IJ position in about a month. I just learned my salary in a written offer letter: it is almost the same I make now as an AUSA; a little more. Is the salary negotiable? How much are the year to year increases? Thanks."

[judgechamberlain]

I think it is unusual for someone to start at a higher than IJ-1 salary.  Perhaps if someone enters from a higher level position equivalent to a higher GS-15 step, then maybe the salary can start at IJ-2.  But I think the salary offers are pretty non-negotiable.  

www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1236526/dl  Last year’s chart.  Illustrative.  I found this in a Google search.

[judgechamberlain]

Aug 6, 2024 23:06:11 GMT -5 Pixie said:

From a board member:

"Hey Pixie, can you ask this anon question in the Immigration Judge thread?

How long does it take to get a final offer after accepting a tentative offer? I completed all the HR paperwork but haven’t heard back. I was told latest EOD is September 16th."

This is the “waiting is the hardest part” period of the process. Just be patient. It takes several weeks.

[azpanther]

Aug 6, 2024 17:32:47 GMT -5 enipcd said:

Preparing to start IJ position soon. Are the pay increases standard year to year? I've heard that IJs typically cap out after 4 years, but is that only for the big cities?

IJ-1 for 2 years, IJ-2 for 2 years, IJ-3 for a year, then you cap out at IJ-4. Applies to all courts

[Judge McJudgeypants]

I presume all these discussions of an EOD in September relate to the most recent round of interviews and reference checks occurring late June/early July? If so, is it safe to say that all offers that would be going out have already gone out, with no more offers likely, since September is a short turn around for making cross-country moves, agency changes, etc.?

[neufenland]

Aug 7, 2024 9:48:30 GMT -5 Judge McJudgeypants said:

I presume all these discussions of an EOD in September relate to the most recent round of interviews and reference checks occurring late June/early July? If so, is it safe to say that all offers that would be going out have already gone out, with no more offers likely, since September is a short turn around for making cross-country moves, agency changes, etc.?

No one on here knows for sure, but having been down this road a couple of times myself, I would think the offers for this class cycle have been extended.  

That said, it’s not over until it’s over, as Yogi would say. I don’t have any inside information and could be completely wrong, to be fair (after both of my second interviews/reference checks in previous cycles, it went that way, though).  It seems that while the offers might trickle out, once there is a class formed for a certain expected start date, and you haven’t heard at a time close to that date, it means no dice. DOJ onboarding can take up to a few months. I mean, you are technically still in it until you get the message from USAJOBS telling you that the announcement has closed/hiring was completed.  If they have funding for another class before the FY ends, though, I guess you never know what could happen.  

I didn’t get a third set of interviews with the most recent announcement, so I imagine I’ve shot my shots forever, but I will keep trying.  One thing, for sure, is that the second interview stage/reference check is not an indicator of an imminent hire as it once was. Necessary, yes, but it’s just a step.  I got so worked up the first time I cleared the second interview stage with references contacted that I was seriously looking at real estate in potential areas on my list (because EOIR’s website even said that you should plan on transitioning out of your current job if you made it to this step).  Nada.  Ghost town.

So, even though they don’t give you a formal “no” until the announcement closes and the boilerplate email from USAJOBS hits your inbox, mentally, I think you can see what is in the cards if no offer by now (for this class). It’s best to move on and hope for a nice surprise.  Easier said than done? Absolutely.  The lack of timely official closure is a big issue.

Know that you aren’t alone, though.