The Trump administration removed eight immigration judges from their positions in New York City on Monday, according to individuals familiar with the decision.
The move follows earlier staff reductions across local immigration courts and reflects a broader national restructuring aimed at speeding up deportation cases.
Officials Confirm Firings Amid Court System Shake-Up
The dismissals were confirmed by representatives from the National Association of Immigration Judges and by a Justice Department official who requested anonymity. Immigration courts operate under the oversight of the Justice Department, which has been actively reshaping the system throughout the year.
Judges Removed from Federal Plaza Immigration Court
All eight judges worked at the immigration court inside 26 Federal Plaza, the Manhattan building that also houses ICE’s New York headquarters and serves as a major processing center for migrant arrests.
Among those dismissed was Amiena A. Khan, the assistant chief immigration judge at the location, who supervised several of her peers.
Hundreds of Judges Affected Nationwide
Before Monday’s action, roughly 90 immigration judges had already been dismissed across the United States this year, including six in New York City. Federal data shows there are approximately 600 immigration judges nationwide.
Union officials say only 36 of the dismissed judges have been replaced so far, including two in New York.
Since President Trump took office earlier this year, more than 100 immigration judges have either been removed or resigned. In July alone, 20 judges were dismissed.
Dismissed Judges Speak Out About Their Concerns
Three recently fired immigration judges — George Pappas, Jennifer Peyton and Carla Espinoza — shared their experiences in an interview with CBS Evening News. They expressed concern about what they described as political pressure to dismiss more cases.
Pappas criticized the abrupt nature of his termination, calling it “unjust” and warning that such actions undermine judicial independence.
Peyton said her dismissal letter contained only a few brief sentences and offered no explanation or cause.
“There was nothing to justify it,” she said.
Espinoza described an atmosphere of anxiety inside the courts. She said that while judges tried to remain impartial, the environment made it increasingly difficult.
Concerns Over ICE Arrests After Hearings
Peyton also raised concerns about ICE detaining migrants immediately after hearings, saying that individuals were often handcuffed and taken away as soon as they exited the courtroom.
Former immigration judges are speaking out after sudden firings by the Trump administration, alleging political pressure and threats to due process in an already overwhelmed court system. CBS News’ @MauriceDuboisTV sat down with three judges who were terminated in July by email. pic.twitter.com/4JMjZEpNxj
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) July 24, 2025
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As long as Americans understand our Laws & Orders …
And that the Judicial Branch is “appointed”, and NOT elected …