James ObasiTrump Administration Removes Eight Immigration Judges In New York
The U.S. Department of Justice has dismissed eight immigration judges in New York City, the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) confirmed on Tuesday, amid heightened tensions as the Trump administration intensifies efforts against undocumented migrants.
All eight judges were based at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, which houses courts handling cases of migrants seeking to regularize their status. For months, masked federal officers have patrolled the hallways of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, sometimes arresting migrants as they leave hearings. Press coverage of these operations, including images of scuffles and family separations, has drawn international attention, making 26 Federal Plaza a focal point of the administration’s immigration crackdown.
The reasons behind the dismissals remain unclear. Nationwide, roughly 90 immigration judges have been dismissed this year out of about 600, according to reports. Advocacy groups suggest the move may be intended to replace outgoing judges with appointees more aligned with the administration’s immigration policies.
The dismissals follow a weekend incident in Manhattan, where several dozen people gathered to prevent a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid targeting street vendors. Several arrests were made during the event.
New York City, which designates itself as a sanctuary city, limits cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, though it does not block federal operations entirely.
