Administration Operated Secret Immigration Courts
Federal agencies held proceedings in office spaces with limited public access throughout September 2026.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Immigration
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In September 2026, the administration began utilizing federal facilities, including FEMA and Department of Homeland Security buildings, to house temporary immigration courts. These proceedings often took place in unmarked office spaces and conference rooms.
Why it matters
The Executive Office of Immigration Review states these scheduling adjustments are necessary to manage caseloads efficiently. However, the lack of signage and public access has raised concerns regarding transparency and the ability of legal counsel to track detained individuals.
The Executive Office of Immigration Review operates as part of the Justice Department, which manages these temporary hearing locations. One facility currently operates on the third floor of a Department of Homeland Security building in New York City.
The players
Greg Stanton
He is a U.S. Representative who was denied entry into a FEMA building where an immigration court was held.
Executive Office of Immigration Review
This component of the Justice Department is responsible for managing immigration court hearings and scheduling.
Department of Homeland Security
This federal department maintains facilities that have been repurposed to host immigration court proceedings.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency operates buildings that the administration utilized for immigration court hearings.
The details
The Online Detainee Locator System has struggled to disclose the whereabouts of some migrants held in these facilities, complicating efforts by lawyers to locate their clients. U.S. Representative Greg Stanton was notably denied entry to one such facility located in a FEMA building in Washington, D.C.
Timeline
Pop-up immigration courts began operating in September 2026.
A policy brief regarding court locations was released in September 2026.
Representative Greg Stanton was denied entry to a building in September 2026.
Political Context
Critics and legal advocates argue that the use of non-standard facilities challenges the established access standards set by the Immigration and Nationality Act. Opposition members contend that the lack of public signage and transparency hinders due process and legal oversight.
Citizens and legal representatives face increased difficulty in navigating court locations and locating detained family members or clients. This operational shift complicates the ability for the public to monitor immigration proceedings and ensures a higher barrier to accessing legal information.
The takeaway
The move toward utilizing federal office space for court hearings highlights an ongoing tension between administrative efficiency and judicial transparency. Stakeholders must verify hearing locations directly through official channels as traditional public signage remains largely absent.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the judicial system, read our coverage on Immigration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Myfox8.
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