The Trump administration on Monday dismissed eight immigration judges in New York City, sharply reducing staff at one of the nation’s busiest immigration courts as the president pushes to accelerate deportations. The firings affected judges at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, which also houses the city’s main U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices.
Amiena Khan, the assistant chief immigration judge who oversaw other judges at the courthouse, was among those dismissed. The National Association of Immigration Judges confirmed the removals, while a Justice Department official acknowledged the action on the condition of anonymity. The Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Justice Department division overseeing immigration judges, declined to comment on the reasons behind the dismissals.
The New York firings are part of a broader national shake-up. Approximately 90 immigration judges have been removed this year across the United States, with only 36 positions filled, according to union officials. Nationwide, the agency oversees roughly 600 judges who handle hundreds of deportation and asylum cases annually. Immigration attorneys have warned that reducing the bench may exacerbate an already significant backlog, which currently exceeds 3.7 million cases.
Olivia Cassin, a former New York immigration judge dismissed in November, described the court as having been “basically eviscerated,” expressing her concern over the recent dismissals. Carmen Maria Rey Caldas, another former judge affected by earlier firings, noted that the removals have created uncertainty among remaining judges and may affect their ability to adjudicate cases impartially.
The dismissals took place amid increased federal immigration enforcement in New York City and heightened statements from President Donald Trump after a shooting near the White House involving an Afghan national. He also stated that migration from all Third World countries would be halted to allow the U.S. immigration system to recover.
The removal of eight judges is expected to further delay hearings and extend wait times for deportation and asylum cases in one of the country’s most heavily burdened immigration courts.
