NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: Immigration Judges Fired, Supportive Housing Project, Downstate Casino Projects

Episode Date: September 26, 2025

The National Association of Immigration Judges says the Trump administration has terminated over 80 immigration judges nationwide. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, city council members disagree on whether to build supportive housing units for Rikers detainees. Finally, community boards vote to approve casinos in Queens and Yonkers, after the bid for three in Manhattan failed.

Welcome to NYC Now, your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Friday, September 26th. Here's the morning headlines from David First. At least six immigration judges in New York City have been fired in recent months as part of a nationwide purge. That's according to the National Association of Immigration Judges. Among them is former judge David Kim. He's also an immigrant from South Korea. It's going to significantly worsen already really bad that law.

There were nearly 3.8 million pending immigration court cases as of the end of July. Kim, like most fire judges, says he received no reason for his termination. He's appealed the decision with the Federal Merit Systems Protection Board. The National Association of Immigration Judges says the Trump administration has terminated over 80 immigration judges nationwide, A spokesperson for the Executive Office for Immigration Review declined to comment. The fight over a supportive housing project for 58 former Rikers detainees in the Bronx is hitting a new inflection point. The City Council voted to approve the plan yesterday even after the mayor's top deputy vowed to kill it. WNYC's David Branch reports.

The apartments are meant for people leaving jail with serious medical problems. But local council member Christy Marmarado opposed it over-concern. about housing people with criminal records in the neighborhood. She found an ally in Deputy Mayor Randy Mastrow, who worked behind the scenes to try to kill the plan. The council typically votes in line with local members on land use decisions in their districts. Not this time. Multiple council members say the project is too important because too many people with serious health problems end up in shelters or on the streets after their release from jail.

Two downstate casino projects are advancing after yesterday's vote from. key advisory committees. A community advisory board voted to unanimously approve the Resorts World New York City Casino for Queens. Hours earlier, another panel gave their unanimous approval to the MGM Empire City Casino bid for Yonkers. The approvals come after three different casino proposals in Manhattan received thumbs down, including a Caesar Palace Times Square whose backers included Jay-Z. Queensboro President Donovan Richards took a dig at the wrapper, while casting his vote in support of the Resorts World bid. There's a theme in Queens, and I know Naz is a part of this.

Queens get the money. Sorry, Jay-Z. We went again. The anchors and Queens bids head now to a final round of scrutiny. The state's gaming facility location board is expected to award up to three downstate casino licenses by the end of the year. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WMYC. Check us out for updates every weekday, three times a day for the latest news headlines and occasional deep dives. And subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.