Eight immigration judges at 26 Federal Plaza fired by Trump admin: report | amNewYork

"The Trump administration has given the boot to eight New York City immigration judges working on cases at 26 Federal Plaza, where ICE agents have seized immigrants for months, per a new published report. Photo by Dean Moses The Trump administration has given the boot to eight New York City immigration judges working on cases at 26 Federal Plaza, where ICE agents have seized immigrants for months, per a new published report."

"According to the New York Times, all the judges were abruptly axed from their duties on Dec. 1, which has become ground zero in New York for ICE activity and detainments as immigrants, including families, attend their legally mandated court hearings. The outlet also stated that Assistant Chief Judge Amiena A. Khan was among those let go. The court has been basically eviscerated, previously fired Judge Olivia Cassin told the Times. It feels like a Monday afternoon massacre."

"The reported firings come after amNewYork first reported that some lawyers representing immigrants stated they felt as though some judges were beginning to fear the wrath of the Trump administration. Attorney Nneka Jackson said in early September that she felt as though judges were scared of being on the chopping block, leading them to be more sympathetic to ICE. I think a lot of judges are scared of being retaliated against or losing their jobs, because you've seen in recent cases where there are immigration"

All eight judges were abruptly axed from their duties on Dec. 1. 26 Federal Plaza has become ground zero for ICE activity and detainments as immigrants, including families, attend legally mandated court hearings. Assistant Chief Judge Amiena A. Khan was among those let go. Previously fired Judge Olivia Cassin said the court has been basically eviscerated and described the removals as feeling like a Monday afternoon massacre. Two Justice Department officials spoke anonymously about the firings, and the Justice Department declined to comment. Courthouse sources reported reduced visible ICE presence on the 12th and 14th floors after the firings. Some attorneys said judges appeared fearful of retaliation or job loss, which they believed affected judges' sympathy toward ICE in recent cases.

Read at www.amny.com