The US Department of Justice has dismissed eight immigration judges in New York City, the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) confirmed on Tuesday. The judges all worked at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, a federal building that handles cases of migrants seeking legal status in the United States.
For months, federal officers have patrolled the building wearing masks and occasionally arresting migrants as they leave court hearings. Media coverage has captured scuffles and the separation of migrant families, making 26 Federal Plaza a symbol of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
It is not clear why the eight judges were dismissed. They are part of a larger group of about 90 immigration judges removed across the country this year, out of roughly 600 serving nationwide. Advocacy groups say these dismissals are aimed at replacing judges with those more aligned with the administration’s immigration priorities.
The dismissals come after protests in Manhattan, where several dozen people gathered to try to prevent potential ICE raids targeting street vendors. Police made several arrests during these demonstrations.
New York City is known as a sanctuary city for migrants. Local authorities limit cooperation with federal immigration services but do not stop their operations. Federal immigration officers continue to enforce laws in the city.
NAIJ said the dismissals add to growing tensions between the courts and the Trump administration as it intensifies its crackdown on undocumented migrants. Immigration courts in New York are now facing uncertainty as pending cases are reassigned to other judges.
Migrant advocacy groups warn that the removals could slow down hearings and affect fair treatment of migrants. They also fear that the changes may pressure judges to rule in favor of stricter immigration enforcement.
Observers note that these actions highlight the ongoing conflict between local authorities, federal immigration agencies, and the judiciary, especially in cities like New York that have large migrant populations.