San Francisco Immigration Court to Relocate, Facing Judge Shortages and Backlog
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San Francisco, CA – january 7, 2026 – San francisco’s main immigration court at 100 Montgomery Street is scheduled to close in January 2027, wiht operations expected to transition to the federal court in Concord as early as this summer. This closure comes amidst a meaningful reduction in the number of immigration judges and a considerable case backlog [[1]].
Court Closure and Relocation details
according to sources, staff have been informed that the lease on the Montgomery Street location will not be renewed. The move to Concord aims to consolidate resources, though concerns remain about accessibility for those with cases in San Francisco. The smaller immigration court at 630 Sansome Street is expected to remain open [[3]].
Judicial Staffing Crisis
The impending closure is compounded by a dramatic decrease in the number of immigration judges.In early spring 2025, 21 judges presided over cases in San Francisco’s two immigration courts.Though, by the end of January 2026, that number had dwindled to just four. This reduction is attributed to both firings during the Trump management and scheduled retirements [[3]].
The National Association of Immigration Judges has also reported dismissals of judges in Concord, with five judges dismissed and two losing positions before hearing cases. currently, seven judges remain on duty in the Concord area.
Significant Case Backlog
The staffing shortages have contributed to a growing backlog of cases. As of January 2026, the San Francisco Immigration Court faces a backlog exceeding 120,000 cases, according to data from the Transaction Records Access Data Center [[3]]. this substantial backlog raises concerns about the timely processing of immigration claims and the potential for prolonged legal proceedings.
Decline in ICE Arrests
Data indicates a decrease in ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) arrests at both the Sansome Street and Montgomery Street Immigration Courts. While monthly arrests occurred from May 2025 through November 2025, no ICE arrests have been recorded since the beginning of 2026 [[3]].
Official Status and Oversight
The San Francisco Immigration court is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is a component of the Executive Office for immigration Review within the Department of Justice [[2]]. As of today, the official website of the Executive Office for Immigration review still lists the 100 Montgomery Street location as open [[3]].
Key Takeaways
- The San Francisco immigration court at 100 Montgomery Street will close in january 2027.
- A significant reduction in immigration judges has contributed to a substantial case backlog.
- ICE arrests at the San francisco immigration courts have decreased substantially since late 2025.
- The smaller court at 630 Sansome Street will remain open.