The decision to replace a local immigration judge with a supervising judge from Washington, D.C., was an unusual move, but, according to immigration lawyers in Philadelphia, it fit a pattern that is becoming very clear to both the bench and bar—immigration judges have far less autonomy than they did under previous administrations.

“It’s really disturbing,” Philadelphia immigration attorney Matthew Archambeault said. “It sends a chilling message to the immigration judges—don’t step out of line, and you don’t have judicial independence.”