EOIR Careers: Judicial Law Clerks, BIA, Immigration Judges and Honors Hiring
Short answer: The Executive Office for Immigration Review runs the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (DOJ budget). New lawyers usually join through DOJ Honors: 32 EOIR positions in Falls Church for 2026-27, including two-year judicial clerkships, and only U.S. citizens are eligible (DOJ). EOIR is hiring immigration judges fast. DOJ said in May 2026 that the corps is nearly 700 (DOJ).
Fast facts
- 2026-27 Honors openings: BIA 16, Office of Policy 8, Office of General Counsel 6, OCAHO 2 (DOJ).
- Terms: two-year clerkships and two-year time-limited jobs that can be extended or made permanent (DOJ).
- Summer 2027 SLIP: 4 interns, 2 each at BIA and OCAHO (DOJ).
- Courts: 75 immigration courts and adjudication centers (DOJ FY2027 budget).
- Staffing: FY2026 enacted, 2,200 positions including 950 attorneys; FY2027 request, 2,700 and 1,080 (DOJ FY2027 budget).
- May 20, 2026: 77 immigration judges and 5 temporary judges sworn in, the largest class in EOIR history; 153 permanent judges hired that fiscal year (DOJ).
- Sept. 24, 2026: 47 more judges and 6 temporary judges (EOIR).
- USAFacts counted 557 permanent judges in the first quarter of FY2026, down from 735 at the end of FY2024. It also reports that a 2025 rule lets any attorney serve as a temporary judge (USAFacts, May 2026, secondary).
- The two counts measure different dates and categories, so use the DOJ figure for current size.
- Executive-branch judicial clerkships preserve DOJ Honors eligibility (DOJ).
- Clerks see a high volume of removal, asylum and bond cases. For other clerkships, see the specialized clerkships hub.
- EOIR clerk pay and exit data: n.a..
- Apply through DOJ Honors in the fall of 3L or during a clerkship (DOJ).
- Pick EOIR and your preferred units in the application (DOJ).
- Or apply for a summer internship through SLIP (DOJ).
FAQ
Q: Do EOIR clerks need to be U.S. citizens?
Yes (DOJ).
Q: How long is an EOIR clerkship?
Two years (DOJ).
Q: How many immigration judges are there?
Nearly 700 as of May 2026, per DOJ; USAFacts counted 557 permanent judges earlier in FY2026 (secondary) (DOJ).
Related guides
Last verified: September 26, 2026, against the official agency, court and program pages linked in this guide (older or secondary sources are labeled). Hiring status changes often, so confirm on the court or chambers page before you apply. Spot an error? Reply in the linked discussion thread or PM a moderator.
