Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized deploying 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 sending groups of 150 attorneys “as soon as practicable,” with a maximum of 600 lawyers potentially reassigned.

The move aligns with the Trump administration’s intensified focus on illegal immigration, including border patrols, National Guard deployments, and military infrastructure for deportations. Immigration courts face a backlog of 3.5 million cases, exacerbated by the removal of over 100 judges since 2017. A union representing immigration lawyers called the directive “destructive,” arguing it undermines judicial integrity.

The memo states the military attorneys’ roles would initially last up to 179 days but could be extended. A Justice Department spokesperson deferred questions to the Defense Department, which directed inquiries to the White House. A presidential official emphasized addressing the backlog as a priority, urging unity among stakeholders.