The Trump administration has dismissed eight immigration judges assigned to New York City’s busiest immigration court, marking one of the most sweeping personnel shakeups in the system this year, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The judges, all based at 26 Federal Plaza, a building that serves as a major processing hub for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, were informed of their terminations on Monday afternoon. The move follows months of staff reductions in immigration courts nationwide as the administration increases its efforts to accelerate deportation proceedings.
Officials at the National Association of Immigration Judges, the union representing immigration judges, confirmed the dismissals and described the action as abrupt and deeply destabilizing for a court already overwhelmed by a growing caseload. A Justice Department official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss personnel matters publicly, also verified the firings.
Among those removed was Amiena A. Khan, the assistant chief immigration judge at Federal Plaza and one of the most senior judges in New York’s immigration system. Judge Khan supervised dozens of colleagues and has been widely regarded as a stabilizing figure during a period of heightened political pressure on immigration courts.
Before Monday’s actions, more than 149 immigration judges had been dismissed across the country this year, including six previously removed in New York. Federal officials say the system employs roughly 600 immigration judges nationwide. Union leaders estimate that only about one third of vacated positions have been filled so far, which has deepened concerns about mounting backlogs.
The latest firings reduce the number of judges at 26 Federal Plaza from 34 to 26. The facility has become a focal point of enforcement activity in recent months, with immigration officers frequently arresting individuals immediately after their hearings, according to lawyers and advocacy groups.
Legal experts warn that the sudden cuts could worsen delays for thousands of asylum seekers and migrants awaiting hearings, while administration officials argue that restructuring the courts is necessary to improve efficiency and remove judges whose decisions they view as inconsistent with federal enforcement priorities.
Immigrant rights advocates condemned the dismissals and described them as part of a broader strategy to intimidate the judiciary and tilt the system toward faster deportations. Senior administration officials have defended the changes as required to restore order and reduce what they describe as procedural bottlenecks.
As the courts adjust to the staffing shortage, attorneys expect even longer wait times for hearings and appeals. Delays could stretch cases for months or years. For many families navigating the immigration system, the latest changes add another layer of uncertainty to an already difficult process.
