Federal Government Closes San Francisco's Immigration Court

Eight months ahead of schedule, the federal government closed San Francisco's immigration court at 100 Montgomery Street, leaving thousands of cases in transition and advocates warning of delays and confusion.

During the court's final hours of operation, only one person remained in line for services. The shutdown affects what legal experts describe as one of the country's major hubs for immigration cases.

"We are talking about 15,000 cases that are in limbo in San Francisco. It's a major hub of immigration in the U.S. Many people who are applying for asylum come to San Francisco, come to the Bay Area, and this is major blow for them," said Bill Hing, a professor of law and migration studies at the University of San Francisco.

Ahead of the May 1 closure, the Department of Justice fired at least 20 of the court's 22 immigration judges. In December, one of those judges, Jeremiah Johnson, spoke about his dismissal.

When asked why he believed he was fired, Johnson said, "For doing my job. Immigration judges precede over removal proceedings. That is what the law states." -ABC7 News