Eight immigration judges in New York City have been removed by the Trump administration, cutting personnel at a major immigration court as President Donald Trump advances his deportation agenda. Among those dismissed was Amiena Khan, the assistant chief judge at 26 Federal Plaza, who managed other judges at the courthouse.
The firings significantly reduced the bench at 26 Federal Plaza, which also houses the city’s main Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices. The courthouse previously employed just over 30 judges, and officials warn the changes could worsen delays in a system already managing a backlog of more than 3.7 million cases nationwide. About 90 immigration judges have been removed nationwide this year, with only 36 of those positions filled.
The move comes amid intensified federal enforcement in New York, where clashes between ICE agents and migrants have drawn attention. Immigration attorneys caution that removing experienced judges could extend asylum timelines by several years. The Executive Office for Immigration Review declined to comment on the reasons behind the terminations.
