Bearing Witness in Immigration Court

March 16, 2026

TL;DR

The 12th floor of 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, the federal immigration court, is a windowless, gray environment where immigrants are processed as 'aliens'.
Volunteer legal observers accompany immigrants, witnessing their hearings, and sometimes seeing them detained by masked ICE agents.
Children are frequently present in the waiting rooms, often appearing in their best attire, waiting to apply for asylum without legal representation.
Masked ICE agents create an atmosphere of fear, and their anonymity may allow them to detach from the humanity of those they apprehend.
The process is unpredictable, with asylum seekers often facing lengthy waits and uncertain outcomes, sometimes being sent to countries where they have no connections.
The author reflects on their helplessness and the emotional impact of witnessing these events, including instances of ICE agents showing moments of human connection.
The article contrasts the anonymity of ICE agents with the shared human experience of being watched, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and being beholden to others.

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