Immigration lawyers are concerned about this week’s abrupt closure of Newark’s immigration court, which is already at the center of a federal lawsuit claiming it puts lawyers and litigants at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19.

The unexplained closure came at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, although one lawyer was advised by a staff member to leave the premises in order to avoid contracting COVID-19, said Cesar Estela, chair of the New Jersey chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The immigration court remained closed Friday, and people who call the court will hear a recording saying the facility is closed.