In a significant move highlighting ongoing tensions, the United States Department of Justice has terminated the employment of eight immigration judges stationed in New York City. The National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) confirmed the dismissals on Tuesday, December 3, 2025.
A Symbolic Location for Immigration Battles
The eight judges all worked at the court located at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. This specific address has become a global symbol of the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies. The court there handles cases of migrants seeking to regularize their status in the United States.
For months, the situation at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building, which houses the court, has been tense. Masked federal officers patrol the hallways daily, and they have been observed arresting migrants immediately after their court hearings. These arrests often occur under the watchful eyes of the press, which maintains a frequent presence at the location.
Viral images and videos from the plaza, showing scuffles with police and the separation of immigrant families, have drawn international attention to the site.
Part of a Broader National Trend
The exact reasons for the dismissal of the eight New York judges remain unclear. However, this action is not isolated. According to a report by the New York Times, these judges join approximately 90 others who have been dismissed across the country this year. The total number of immigration judges in the US is about 600, making the scale of the removals notable.
Migrant advocacy groups interpret these dismissals as a strategic effort by the administration. They believe the goal is to replace outgoing judges with new appointees who are more aligned with President Trump's hardline immigration policy.
Context of a Sanctuary City
The dismissals come on the heels of heightened local activism. Just over the weekend before the terminations, several dozen people gathered in Manhattan. Their aim was to try and prevent a potential raid by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) targeting street vendors. The New York Police Department made several arrests during that gathering.
This event underscores the complex dynamics in New York City, which is a self-declared sanctuary city for migrants. This status means the city's local authorities voluntarily limit their cooperation with federal immigration services. However, this policy does not legally prevent federal agencies like ICE from conducting their own operations within the city's limits, leading to ongoing friction between local and federal authorities.
