The Association of Administrative Law Judges announced on Monday that a "wave of threats" against courts and judges handling Social Security disability claims and appeals has occurred in the past two years. The news is shocking but perhaps not all that surprising in light of the economic troubles so many people are facing.

The National Association of Immigration Judges also reported an increase in threats against federal employees and judges handling immigration hearings.

The Social Security Administration's Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, which is responsible for resolving Social Security disability disputes and appeals, says that 28 violent threats against Social Security offices were reported between March and August of 2009. During that same period, nine judges who hear Social Security disability appeals were threatened personally.

From September 2009 through February 2010, 21 threats of violence were made against Social Security hearing offices and 11 against individual judges. The agency says that threats were also made against the wives and children of Social Security disability judges.

Recommendations to Protect Social Security Disability and Immigration Judges

The Association of Administrative Law Judges and the National Association of Immigration Judges held a briefing about the threats with the National Press Club. At the same time, they released recommendations they believe will help protect the safety of federal employees and administrative law judges who adjudicate Social Security disability and immigration issues.

Their security recommendations included:

  • Adding railings in Social Security disability hearing rooms
  • Assigning more guards and marshals to the courts
  • Reconsidering the SSA policy that no guards should be present in Social Security disability hearing rooms, or installing peep holes in doors so that guards could observe the hearings without violating claimants' privacy
  • Assigning a bailiff to each immigration courtroom
  • Assigning secure parking areas and separate entrances for Social Security disability and immigration judges
  • Additional security training for judges and court personnel

"Individuals angry with the federal government aren't just raising their voice," according to the union representing the judges, "they're sometimes raising a weapon or making personal threats against federal workers. In this new security environment we need to take added precautions."

Source:

"Administrative law judges face more threats over disability, immigration issues" (The Washington Post, August 31, 2010)