The Empowering Immigration Courts Act would modify federal immigration law to give immigration judges clearer authority to punish contempt of court, such as disruptive behavior or failure to follow court orders during immigration proceedings. Currently, the law is ambiguous about whether immigration judges can impose fines for contemptuous conduct, and this bill would explicitly authorize them to do so in accordance with standard federal contempt procedures. The bill affects immigrants and others appearing before immigration courts, as well as immigration judges themselves who would gain more defined powers to maintain courtroom order. There is no new funding or timeline specified in the legislation, as it simply clarifies existing judicial authority. The bill was introduced in February 2024 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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