DOL’s Administrative Judge System Survives Constitutional Test

The US Department of Labor’s administrative law judge system survived a constitutional challenge after a federal judge tossed a case filed by a New Jersey farm owner.

Sun Valley Orchards LLC’s case was based on violations of DOL regulations on the H-2A agricultural visa program and was related to a government action that was properly adjudicated in an administrative tribunal, Judge Joseph Rodriguez of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled Thursday.

US Supreme Court precedent allows the government to handle adjudication of public rights matters—like immigration enforcement—outside of Article III courts, he wrote.

Granting the ...