WaPo, actually on A01 (for a change):

The Bush administration increasingly emphasized partisan political ties over expertise in recent years in selecting the judges who decide the fate of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, despite laws that preclude such considerations.

Well, big deal. I bet The Decider wrote a secret law that renders this law "quaint"! Because the Dear Leader would never, ever, do anything illegal!

And who needs expertise?

At least one-third of the immigration judges appointed by the Justice Department since 2004 have had Republican connections or have been administration insiders, and half lacked experience in immigration law, Justice Department, immigration court and other records show.

I mean, I'm sure all these "Judges" [gag] are good Christianists, and will give all their decisions careful, prayerful consideration. From God's lips to the Partei's ears should be enough, and if it doesn't seem to be, they can just ask Monica, or consult the Consensus of The General Will, or even The Leader!

Justice officials also gave immigration judgeships to a New Jersey election law specialist who represented GOP candidates, a former treasurer of the Louisiana Republican Party, a White House domestic policy adviser and a conservative crusader against pornography.

See what I mean? These are Good People! It's all good! It's g-o-o-o-o-d!

So kwitcherbellyachin! The law is just so Twentieth Century!

NOTE But let's get serious for a minute. The immigration courts are all about protecting The Good People from The Colored. And don't we want Republicans doing that?