We still need more courtwatchers on the ground to ensure that ICE and DHS follow this ruling — and that every New Yorker can show up to court without fear and go home safely. Sign up to join at jfrej.org/courtwatch
NYC Jews Against Deportation
Ice Out of New York!
jfrej.org
October 2, 2026 at 1:16 AM
We still need more courtwatchers on the ground to ensure that ICE and DHS follow this ruling — and that every New Yorker can show up to court without fear and go home safely. Sign up to join at jfrej.org/courtwatch
Courtwatchers or anarchist violent extremist actors? You decide
It seems that the FBI is very confused about what courtwatchers actually do here in NYC. To read about what we do in our own words, check out our Ghost and Substack sites (links in reply).
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The FBI spied on a Signal group chat of immigration activists, records reveal
Exclusive: Agency accessed private conversations of New York ‘courtwatch’ group that was observing public hearings
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Courtwatchers or anarchist violent extremist actors? You decide
You might think that courtwatchers go off-duty new years eve. But immigration courts are open, and ICE detained someone today.
I do not want to wake up at 5:45am tomorrow to do court accompaniment. I so desperately do not want to do that.
*sigh*
*sigh*
December 31, 2025 at 1:20 AM
You might think that courtwatchers go off-duty new years eve. But immigration courts are open, and ICE detained someone today.
The NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI investigation that included surveillance of a private Signal chat of volunteer courtwatchers monitoring ICE activity inside New York City’s immigration courthouses.
NYPD Confirms Involvement in FBI Probe Targeting Volunteer Observers in Immigration Court
An FBI document referred to activists at immigration courts as “anarchist violent extremist actors” and cited a "sensitive source with excellent access” to an encrypted chat.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI investigation that included surveillance of a private Signal chat of volunteer courtwatchers monitoring ICE activity inside New York City’s immigration courthouses.
FWIW one of bluesky's superpowers imho - the brilliant legal community here. The live updates I get via my "Courtwatchers" list is better than any live blogging I ever read from SCOTUS Blog back in the day. Also if you want to build your own list here is a good start. YW. go.bsky.app/4oXpi4Q
This would be a good year for some other outlet to start (1) a liveblog of SCOTUS decision days and (2) a user-friendly SCOTUS docket tracker.
SCOTUSblog is a gatekeeper because they're the ones doing those things and the Court's own website is meh, but they should not be the gatekeeper anymore.
SCOTUSblog is a gatekeeper because they're the ones doing those things and the Court's own website is meh, but they should not be the gatekeeper anymore.
A pretty clean illustration of how SCOTUSblog's editorial coverage has shifted since its merger with a conservative media outlet: At its big-ticket Supreme Court term preview conference in the fall, the marquee event is...a panel featuring the GCs of Boeing, TD Bank, and ExxonMobil
July 27, 2026 at 10:35 PM
FWIW one of bluesky's superpowers imho - the brilliant legal community here. The live updates I get via my "Courtwatchers" list is better than any live blogging I ever read from SCOTUS Blog back in the day. Also if you want to build your own list here is a good start. YW. go.bsky.app/4oXpi4Q
fyi fellow courtwatchers
the Supreme Court could release its opinion in US v Skrmetti (the case about denying healthcare to trans kids) as early as tomorrow, so this is a good time to review @transjournalists.org guidance on how to cover the case responsibly
www.transjournalists.org/2025-skrmett...
the Supreme Court could release its opinion in US v Skrmetti (the case about denying healthcare to trans kids) as early as tomorrow, so this is a good time to review @transjournalists.org guidance on how to cover the case responsibly
www.transjournalists.org/2025-skrmett...
What journalists should know in advance of the U.S. v. Skrmetti U.S. Supreme Court decision
In advance of what will likely be a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in the U.S. v. Skrmetti case, the Trans Journalists Association offers the following guidance to reporters, newsrooms, and othe...
www.transjournalists.org
June 11, 2025 at 6:33 PM
fyi fellow courtwatchers
the Supreme Court could release its opinion in US v Skrmetti (the case about denying healthcare to trans kids) as early as tomorrow, so this is a good time to review @transjournalists.org guidance on how to cover the case responsibly
www.transjournalists.org/2025-skrmett...
the Supreme Court could release its opinion in US v Skrmetti (the case about denying healthcare to trans kids) as early as tomorrow, so this is a good time to review @transjournalists.org guidance on how to cover the case responsibly
www.transjournalists.org/2025-skrmett...
The NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI investigation that included surveillance of a private Signal chat of volunteer courtwatchers monitoring ICE activity inside New York City’s immigration courthouses.
NYPD Confirms Involvement in FBI Probe Targeting Volunteer Observers in Immigration Court
An FBI document referred to activists at immigration courts as “anarchist violent extremist actors” and cited a "sensitive source with excellent access” to an encrypted chat.
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI investigation that included surveillance of a private Signal chat of volunteer courtwatchers monitoring ICE activity inside New York City’s immigration courthouses.
Despite yesterday's court ruling barring ICE from making arrests at immigration court, ICE agents detained an immigrant New Yorker at their hearing this morning, as witnessed by JFREJ courtwatchers who were accompanying the person detained.
This is why we must continue to show up & bear witness.
This is why we must continue to show up & bear witness.
After ICE Admitted Having No Justification for Arrests at Immigration Courthouses, District Court Grants Stay Prohibiting ICE From Conducting Courthouse Arrests - NYCLU
www.nyclu.org
May 19, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Despite yesterday's court ruling barring ICE from making arrests at immigration court, ICE agents detained an immigrant New Yorker at their hearing this morning, as witnessed by JFREJ courtwatchers who were accompanying the person detained.
This is why we must continue to show up & bear witness.
This is why we must continue to show up & bear witness.
A San Francisco police union is trying to oust two local judges on Tuesday.
In Pursuit of Harsher Punishments, San Francisco Courtwatchers Target Judges - Bolts
After mirroring courtwatching programs usually piloted by the left, opponents of criminal justice reform are now looking to oust two local judges on March 5.
boltsmag.org
March 4, 2024 at 3:20 AM
A San Francisco police union is trying to oust two local judges on Tuesday.
A former California judge told Bolts that, when she began serving on the bench, she was advised to "throw the book at everybody" to keep winning reelection. She didn't, and still prevailed until her retirement.
In Pursuit of Harsher Punishments, San Francisco Courtwatchers Target Judges
After mirroring courtwatching programs usually piloted by the left, opponents of criminal justice reform are now looking to oust two local judges on March 5.
boltsmag.org
March 3, 2024 at 12:32 AM
A former California judge told Bolts that, when she began serving on the bench, she was advised to "throw the book at everybody" to keep winning reelection. She didn't, and still prevailed until her retirement.
For the last 14 months, the courtwatchers, including hundreds of JFREJ members, have shown up to be in community with immigrant NYers at immigration court. Through the daily cruelty of the system, courtwatchers make sure no one is alone and no one is forgotten.
August 7, 2026 at 6:29 PM
For the last 14 months, the courtwatchers, including hundreds of JFREJ members, have shown up to be in community with immigrant NYers at immigration court. Through the daily cruelty of the system, courtwatchers make sure no one is alone and no one is forgotten.
Courtwatchers have been questioning whether some cases belong in court at all.
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Courtwatchers have been questioning whether some cases belong in court at all.
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
my understanding is the judge can keep the case open if the asylum seeker asks them to do so. So part of what courtwatchers are trying to do is let folks know to ask for this.
June 23, 2025 at 9:14 PM
my understanding is the judge can keep the case open if the asylum seeker asks them to do so. So part of what courtwatchers are trying to do is let folks know to ask for this.
"NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI investigation that included surveillance of a private Signal chat of volunteer courtwatchers monitoring ICE activity inside New York City's immigration courthouses."
#NewYork #USA #Policing #Protest #Surveillance #Courts #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
#NewYork #USA #Policing #Protest #Surveillance #Courts #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
NYPD Confirms Involvement in FBI Probe Targeting Volunteer Observers in Immigration Court
An FBI document referred to activists at immigration courts as "anarchist violent extremist actors" and cited a "sensitive source with excellent access" to an encrypted chat.
www.thecity.nyc
November 21, 2025 at 11:25 PM
"NYPD confirmed its involvement in an FBI investigation that included surveillance of a private Signal chat of volunteer courtwatchers monitoring ICE activity inside New York City's immigration courthouses."
#NewYork #USA #Policing #Protest #Surveillance #Courts #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
#NewYork #USA #Policing #Protest #Surveillance #Courts #Deportation #EthnicCleansing
As the term winds down to the end of June, courtwatchers will start to guess which justices are writing which pending decisions based on which ones have already written for certain sittings.
June 6, 2024 at 2:05 PM
As the term winds down to the end of June, courtwatchers will start to guess which justices are writing which pending decisions based on which ones have already written for certain sittings.
In all our courtwatchers' combined years in Baltimore City, none have known the state not to charge something because it would seem like too much.
September 27, 2025 at 2:50 AM
In all our courtwatchers' combined years in Baltimore City, none have known the state not to charge something because it would seem like too much.
Sharing again bc I woke up in a panicked fury remembering every time Baltimore courtwatchers have said “Brady doesn’t actually exist in these courtrooms” & “the law is what the judge on the bench says it is” and people - lawyers!! - reacted like we just didn’t understand The Complexities of it all.
I want people to know we got here by judges doing this every single day in thousands of courtrooms across the country. Using obtuse technical reasoning and pretending their hands are tied from offering real relief. So they sleep at night while millions rot in prison.
#BREAKING: 5-4 Court, with Barrett joining the three Dem. appointees in dissent *vacates* Chief Judge Boasberg’s temporary restraining orders in the Alien Enemy Act cases. Judicial review must be available, Court holds, but has to come through habeas petitions:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24p...
April 8, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Sharing again bc I woke up in a panicked fury remembering every time Baltimore courtwatchers have said “Brady doesn’t actually exist in these courtrooms” & “the law is what the judge on the bench says it is” and people - lawyers!! - reacted like we just didn’t understand The Complexities of it all.
Baltimore courtwatchers are always looking for volunteers - in Maryland it's important because you can't record hearings in the state and records are expensive and hard to get. baltimorecourtwatch.org
November 25, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Baltimore courtwatchers are always looking for volunteers - in Maryland it's important because you can't record hearings in the state and records are expensive and hard to get. baltimorecourtwatch.org
I'm unclear -- will there be anything in these of interest to any but the most ardent Trump courtwatchers?
November 1, 2023 at 9:36 PM
I'm unclear -- will there be anything in these of interest to any but the most ardent Trump courtwatchers?
San Francisco forces who worked to recall Chesa Boudin have new targets in March elections: 2 local judges who they say stand in way of harsher punishments & pretrial detention.
And what's fascinating too, they've mirrored courtwatching tactics usually associated with left.
NEW:
And what's fascinating too, they've mirrored courtwatching tactics usually associated with left.
NEW:
In Pursuit of Harsher Punishments, San Francisco Courtwatchers Target Judges
After mirroring courtwatching programs usually piloted by the left, opponents of criminal justice reform are are now looking to oust two local judges on March 5.
boltsmag.org
February 23, 2024 at 6:02 PM
San Francisco forces who worked to recall Chesa Boudin have new targets in March elections: 2 local judges who they say stand in way of harsher punishments & pretrial detention.
And what's fascinating too, they've mirrored courtwatching tactics usually associated with left.
NEW:
And what's fascinating too, they've mirrored courtwatching tactics usually associated with left.
NEW:
Opponents of criminal justice reform in San Francisco are looking to oust two judges in next week's election. This is the latest chapter in their offensive against progressive officials.
In Pursuit of Harsher Punishments, San Francisco Courtwatchers Target Judges
After mirroring courtwatching programs usually piloted by the left, opponents of criminal justice reform are now looking to oust two local judges on March 5.
boltsmag.org
February 28, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Opponents of criminal justice reform in San Francisco are looking to oust two judges in next week's election. This is the latest chapter in their offensive against progressive officials.
Bay Area progressives are concerned that the attacks on some local judges could have a disastrous effect.
Says a retired judge: “These judges are going to start handing down harsher sentences and who is it going to impact? Poor people, people of color.”
Says a retired judge: “These judges are going to start handing down harsher sentences and who is it going to impact? Poor people, people of color.”
In Pursuit of Harsher Punishments, San Francisco Courtwatchers Target Judges - Bolts
After mirroring courtwatching programs usually piloted by the left, opponents of criminal justice reform are now looking to oust two local judges on March 5.
boltsmag.org
March 2, 2024 at 3:46 AM
Bay Area progressives are concerned that the attacks on some local judges could have a disastrous effect.
Says a retired judge: “These judges are going to start handing down harsher sentences and who is it going to impact? Poor people, people of color.”
Says a retired judge: “These judges are going to start handing down harsher sentences and who is it going to impact? Poor people, people of color.”
PA election law courtwatchers are awaiting a decision from the PA Supreme Ct in the Michael Huff case, which pertains to whether a married judicial candidate can establish new residency in a different county from his wife when the couple is not separated/divorcing. And Huff drew #2 ballot position.
April 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
PA election law courtwatchers are awaiting a decision from the PA Supreme Ct in the Michael Huff case, which pertains to whether a married judicial candidate can establish new residency in a different county from his wife when the couple is not separated/divorcing. And Huff drew #2 ballot position.
One of our courtwatchers recently observed a shocking case of mistaken identity - whereby someone arrested for drunk driving didn’t give their own name, but instead the name and birthday of someone else. The drunk driver was sentenced in court still using the other person’s identity. 🧵[1/12]
June 20, 2025 at 10:22 AM
One of our courtwatchers recently observed a shocking case of mistaken identity - whereby someone arrested for drunk driving didn’t give their own name, but instead the name and birthday of someone else. The drunk driver was sentenced in court still using the other person’s identity. 🧵[1/12]