Why It Matters
Meltsner Strategies LLC terminated its lobbying representation of the National Association of Immigration Judges effective August 31, according to a filing signed September 2. The split ends an eight-year engagement between the firm and the judges' union on their push for an independent immigration court system.
The termination represents a modest but notable loss for Meltsner Strategies. Meltsner Strategies LLC has represented the National Association of Immigration Judges with total lobbying fees of $70,000 across five filings. Project for Election Infrastructure accounted for $766,000 in total lobbying fees, while General Dynamics Corp. generated $162,500, dwarfing NAIJ's contribution to the firm's bottom line.
NAIJ is a voluntary organization and labor union of current and former U.S. Immigration Judges, with approximately 700 or more federal immigration judges working nationwide. The group is affiliated with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), which represents more than 80,000 men and women in professional, technical, and administrative occupations.
NAIJ is a leading advocate for the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act, which would create an independent Article I immigration court.
Broader Context
NAIJ's push for judicial independence has faced structural obstacles. In November 2020, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) decertified NAIJ, ruling that immigration judges are management officials. As of December 2024, NAIJ was actively seeking recertification before the FLRA, with a majority of the 700 plus judges signing onto a new petition.
Over 3.5 million immigration court cases are pending. NAIJ advocates for adequate staffing, support staff, and resources to address the immigration court backlog, while also opposing case quotas and performance metrics imposed by the Attorney General. The group also opposes DOJ gag orders restricting judges from speaking publicly about court conditions.
Throughout its tenure representing NAIJ, Meltsner Strategies focused on these core issues. In 2019, the firm lobbied on immigration court reform and moving courts out of the Department of Justice to an independent court system, as well as on S. 663, the Immigration Court Improvement Act of 2019, and Department of Justice immigration judge quota language in multiple appropriations bills. That pattern continued through 2026, with the firm lobbying on H.R. 7836 Real Courts Rule of Law Act of 2026 in the first quarter and an unnumbered Senate bill in the second quarter.
In the second quarter of 2025, Meltsner Strategies LLC lobbied on immigration judge independence and federal benefits advocacy including H.R. 1, S. Con. Res. 7, and H. Con. Res. 14. The Reconciliation Act (H.R. 1) was enacted, while the Senate FY 2025 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 7) passed the Senate and the FY 2025 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 14) was adopted.
NAIJ previously held a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the DOJ's Office of Chief Immigration Judge, dating to at least 2019. In November 2020, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) decertified NAIJ, ruling that immigration judges are management officials.
The Bottom Line
With Meltsner Strategies out, NAIJ faces a transition at a critical juncture. The group has pending legislation in Congress and an active recertification effort before the FLRA. In November 2020, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) decertified NAIJ, ruling that immigration judges are management officials.
The termination filing does not indicate whether NAIJ plans to retain new counsel or shift its advocacy approach. The timing (just weeks after Meltsner Strategies lobbied on H.R. 7836 and an unnumbered Senate bill in the second quarter of 2026) suggests the decision came after a period of active representation rather than a gradual wind-down.
For Meltsner Strategies, the loss of NAIJ reduces a steady but not dominant revenue stream. The firm's other clients, particularly Project for Election Infrastructure, continue to generate substantially more lobbying fees.
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