The Hand that Rocks the Gavel

This episode of “This American Life” opens in a New York federal immigration court, revealing how immigrants attending mandatory hearings were unexpectedly detained by ICE, raising concerns about the role of judges in the face of such raids. Through interviews with laid-off judges and insights from immigration policy officials, the episode uncovers the systemic undermining of due process and the changing role of immigration judges under the Trump administration, highlighting an ongoing crisis faced by asylum seekers and potential long-term implications for the rule of law in the United States.