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Trump puts his stamp on nation's immigration courts

In this June 12, 2019, photo, immigrants wait inside and outside of the immigration court in Miami. The Trump administration has appointed more than 4 in 10 of the country’s sitting immigration judges in a hiring surge that comes as U.S. authorities seek to crack down on immigration. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

LOS ANGELES — In just 2 1/2 years, the Trump administration has put its stamp on the nation’s immigration court system, appointing more than 4 in 10 judges, overseeing a hiring surge, and issuing new rules that make it harder for migrants to win their cases and stay in the country.

An Associated Press analysis shows that President Donald Trump’s administration has appointed at least 190 immigration judges, accounting for 43 per cent of the total.

The administration has also continued a trend in hiring large numbers of former military lawyers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys as immigration judges.

Amy Taxin, The Associated Press