This American Life 868: The Hand That Rocks The Gavel
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Sep 21, 2025 
Nadia Raymond, a producer and reporter, dives deep into the secretive world of immigration judges while Kira Lillian, a former immigration judge, shares firsthand experiences from the courtroom. The two discuss alarming changes in immigration court practices following new policies from the Trump administration. They explore how these shifts pressure judges into tough legal dilemmas and impact morale, along with the harrowing story of a man rapidly pushed through the system, highlighting the real human cost of these changes.
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Courtroom Arrests In The Hallway
- Zoe Chace describes watching immigrants leave courtrooms only to be immediately handcuffed by ICE in the hallway.
- One man's sister watched helplessly as he was hustled into an elevator and taken to detention.
Policy Memos Felt Like Orders
- Judges report sudden policy shifts telling them how to handle cases, undermining judicial independence.
- Many read DOJ memos as directives to favor DHS despite formal claims of discretion.
Adjudicate Motions, Don't Rubber‑Stamp
- Jennifer Payton advised judges to adjudicate motions as they would any other motion and follow legal procedure.
- She urged judges to keep exercising independent judgment rather than rubber-stamping requests.