Gonzales rebukes judges for immigrant mistreatment

WASHINGTON -- Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales chastised immigration judges yesterday for ''intemperate or even abusive" conduct toward people seeking asylum in the United States and ordered a comprehensive review of US immigration courts.

In a sharply worded memo, Gonzales said he acted after seeing reports that immigration judges, who are Justice Department employees, produced poor-quality work and treated immigrants discourteously.

''To the aliens who stand before you, you are the face of American justice. Not all will be entitled to the relief they seek. But I insist that each be treated with courtesy and respect," Gonzales said.