In Memoriam: U.S. Immigration Judge Philip L. Morace — Scholar, Outstanding Jurist, Beloved Colleague, And Kind Compassionate Human Being

I am sad to announce the death on Friday, January 20, 2017, of one of the most admired and respected U.S. Immigration Judges, Hon. Philip L. Morace of the U.S. Immigration Court in New York, New York.  Judge Morace was widely known by his colleagues, the government, the private bar, and the immigrant community as a gentleman, a scholar, an amazing colleague, and the very embodiment of the Immigration Court’s ideal of “through teamwork and innovation . . . guaranteeing fairness and due process for all.”

Judge Morace was educated at Fordham University and the Brooklyn Law School and served in private practice and with the U.S. Marine Corps before being appointed to the bench in September 1995.  He was a member of the New York Bar.

Please join me in offering sympathy to Judge Morace’s family, his colleagues, and the New York immigration community on this great loss.  Judge Morace’s inspiring example will be long remembered and emulated.

PWS

01/22/17

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Carlos Moreno, Esq.
Carlos Moreno, Esq.
7 years ago

The Honorable Philip Morace was a remarkable man. As an attorney who appeared before him for many years, I was always impressed by his kindness and judicial courage. He was very respectful of all those who appeared before him, attorneys and respondents. He will be deeply missed.

Joe Torrillo
7 years ago

I went to both grammar school and high school with Judge Phillip Morace. Since graduation from Bishop Ford HS in 1973, I would see Phillip from time to time. I wish that ” time to time” would have been much more frequently. It’s always the right thing to do when someone passes to say only good things about them. However , Phillip really was a ” cut above” almost any other person I met in my life. Those who knew him, you learned so much from him, when he didn’t know he was teaching you !! Some say that life is not always fair , today those words ring loud and clear. To Phillip’s Family, Phillip led a life that few would dare . Let that forever be his Legacy. May he rest in peace !! Joe Torrillo

Stephen Santo
Stephen Santo
7 years ago
Reply to  Joe Torrillo

I am stunned and truly saddened to hear this news. I appeared before Judge Morace many, many times since 1996, not so much in recent years, which is a testament to the everlasting impression such an individual leaves on you. All of the comments above are well taken regarding the qualities of the “Honorable” Judge Morace. He was the embodiment of that word as a jurist, acting with great conviction, intellectual rigor and honesty, all the while possessing a terrific sense of humor, human touch and a sincere humility that came from his faith. He would attend 12n mass many, if not most, days at St Andrews Church across the street, even acting as an usher carrying the collection basket. Devoted to his family, he was also that rare human being these days still living in and serving the community he grew up in. There are other kind and compassionate judges at NYC EOIR, dispensing justice with a fair and even hand, and Philip Morace was one of the finest to be admired as an example and inspiration to us all on the bench and bar. My heart sincerely goes out to his family and I hope they can receive comfort in knowing how well he was truly thought of and respected. It is a truly great loss. Judge Morace will continue to inspire and instruct us all.

Adrian S. Cires, Esq
Adrian S. Cires, Esq
7 years ago

Judge Philip L. Morace was an excellent jurist and scholar, but also blessed with a healthy sense of humor; a great judge and en exceptional human being.
Your honor, Rest In Peace.

Adriana S. Cires, Esq
Adriana S. Cires, Esq
7 years ago

To the moderators:
I’m sorry, I misspelled my own name.
Correct: Adriana S. Cires

Theresa Torrillo Gregson
Theresa Torrillo Gregson
7 years ago

I attended Immaculate Heart of Mary grammar school with Philip, and fir many years (up until now) he lived a block away from me.
Phil was the kindest, most gentle person I have ever met. He never failed to stop and talk to my husband and I whenever we ran into him in the neighborhood. He was genuinely interested in how we were doing.
I am shocked and saddened over Philip’s passing.
The world has lost an amazing man. He was truly one of a kind.

Stephen Santo
Stephen Santo
7 years ago

I am stunned and truly saddened to hear this news. I appeared before Judge Morace many, many times since 1996, not so much in recent years, which is a testament to the everlasting impression such an individual leaves on you. All of the comments above are well taken regarding the qualities of the “Honorable” Judge Morace. He was the embodiment of that word as a jurist, acting with great conviction, intellectual rigor and honesty, all the while possessing a terrific sense of humor, human touch and a sincere humility that came from his faith. He would attend 12n mass many, if not most, days at St Andrews Church across the street, even acting as an usher carrying the collection basket. Devoted to his family, he was also that rare human being these days still living in and serving the community he grew up in. There are other kind and compassionate judges at NYC EOIR, dispensing justice with a fair and even hand, and Philip Morace was one of the finest to be admired as an example and inspiration to us all on the bench and bar. My heart sincerely goes out to his family and I hope they can receive comfort in knowing how well he was truly thought of and respected. It is a truly great loss. Judge Morace will continue to inspire and instruct us all.

Rakhi Dhanoa
Rakhi Dhanoa
7 years ago

I am shocked and devastated at Judge Morace’s sudden passing. He was an inspiration to me for the last 15 years. I never walked into his courtroom nervous because I knew Judge Morace was that special Judge who truly cared about the people that walked through his door, and that he would ensure a just result in my cases before him. Judge Morace always did what he thought was right, with a sense of humor and humility. I could see his faith in the law, goodness, logic and reason in all of his decisions. He always had my deep admiration. It is my hope that his family knows how very much he was admired. He taught me so much about immigration law, and made me want to be as good of a lawyer as he was a Judge. May he rest in peace.

Anonymous
Anonymous
7 years ago

I looked forward to appearing before IJ Morace for master calendar and individual hearings. He was so very kind and respectful towards all attorneys and those required to appear before him. (When he called cases, he did not call the last three digits of A#s, he called respondent’s names. He did not consider aliens to be mere numbers.
Instead, they were human beings, worthy of respect)
Thank you Judge Morace for making a difference.

Philip J. Velez, Esq.
7 years ago

So sad to hear about Judge Morace’s passing. One of the judge’s who gave true consideration to both parties in knowledge that the system was overloaded and the bureaucracy a boondoggle to slog through. Fantastic to know that he was also a Marine. I’ll always remember him telling me that he was granting a continuance because our names were spelled correctly, ‘Philip’ with one ‘L’. Awesome man that will be missed.

A.W.
A.W.
7 years ago

i will always remember working along side him as his clerk for almost 13 years. He was truly a great and inspiring man. i would call the court to order and he would enter the court room, walk to his seat but never sit down untill he saw me sit first. He couldn’t help himself when it came to quizzing attorneys before they left his court room about baseball, anniversarys and various historical facts. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and made everyone around him feel special and I’ll always remember his warm and calming voice. Welk In 2008 I moved on to become an Immigration Service Officer for USCIS. i am pleased to say his respect, humility and integrity towards the public and to all who came into contact with him is something I try to emulate and I’ll always respect and admire him forever. In loving memory & honor of a true friend, Judge Morace. Rest In Peace.

(Rev.) Ruskin Piedra
7 years ago

I’m so sorry to have heard of he passing of Judge Morace – the same day I had a case before him. Judge Morace will certainly be missed. I for one will miss his smile, his welcoming presence, his respect and encouragement toward all who had a case before him, calling them by name, never by the last 3 digits of their A#. Judge Morace showed a special care for undocumented youth. They left thee courtroom feeling they were important and if anyone gav them a measure of hope, it was Judge Morace. May he rest in peace.

Sydney B. Rosenberg, Immigration Judge NYC, Retired
Sydney B. Rosenberg, Immigration Judge NYC, Retired
7 years ago

Although I retired as an immigration judge in 1993 and didn’t know Judge Morace as a judge, I do remember him as an immigration attorney. My memory of him was as a kind and gentle man who was always prepared and represented his clients well. Wish more had emulated him.

Joseph J. Rose
Joseph J. Rose
7 years ago

I was very saddened to hear of Judge Morace’s untimely passing. He was a fine Judge who was guided by compassion and the law in all of his decisions. What struck me most of all was how he treated attorneys from the private bar as equals even though this was not the case. I always felt that his disdain for wearing the judicial robe reflected this. He did not want to hold himself above others. His kindness and professionalism will be sorely missed.

Joseph J. Rose

Naresh M. Gehi, Esq.
7 years ago

I am really falling short of words to describe this great Judge who was my role model and my mentor. When I was newly admitted to practice in 2001, I had my first appearance in Court before Judge Morace. He acted as my mentor and helped me to navigate the case smoothly and I can never forget in my life that I won my first immigration case before judge Morace. He was a great teacher and a fantastic mentor.

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Judge Morace for everything that I am today. Judge Morace was a great human being who was extremely kind hearted and had a great personality. He was always there to help everyone. Very sorry to hear the loss of Judge Morace and he will be missed for ever. May his soul rest in peace. My prayers and good wishes are always with his family

Danny Ayala
Danny Ayala
7 years ago

I’m really sad
I’ll had court wt him this coming abril a really good person.
My deepest condolences to his family
This is overwhelming to me I been in court before he for the Las 3 years in abril was gone be my last court say wt Mr. Morace

Diallo
Diallo
7 years ago

My condolences to his family.
Judge Morace was a very nice and humble human being.
I appeared in his court room back in June 2006 when I was seeking my asylum with he granted…
On Wednesday I was talking to a lawyer whom I asked about him and he told me he passed away last month.
May God bless his soul

Judy Morace
Judy Morace
7 years ago

Thank you for the Beautiful Memoriam for Phil, and the sharing of your memories. Your words are all very comforting. There was a Memorial for Phil at the Immigration Court yesterday, and a few people inquired why Phil passed. Phil was all about transparency, he was very open about what he was going through and wouldn’t mind me sharing with you what happened. I hope this brings closure to some of you. In November when they told us that Phil’s tumor in his colon disappeared we were ecstatic. The tumor was gone, we thought he was home free. We were setting the date to reverse his colostomy. Phil was no friend to his colostomy, and was ready to say, “Goodbye”. Than we received the news that although the tumor was gone, the perpetrator of the cancer producing cell was still at the base of the stoma in his colon. Plus the neuroendcrine cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes although it had not spread further it did increase the size of a few of the lymph nodes. The end of December started a trial drug that was to attack the remaining cancer. This drug had worked in similar cases. He had taken it for 9 days when they found a problem with his kidneys. They had to stop the drug in case it ws the cause, and Phil was hospitalized to get to the bottom of what was happening with the kidneys. It turns out the lymph nodes that had increased in size were interfering with the functioning of the kidneys. Since the kidneys weren’t working properly the toxic contrast they used for the X-rays or sonograms was not able to completely leave the kidneys and resulted in the kidneys shutting down. So now there was surgery to get the kidneys working again and it was a success. Unfortunately now his blood pressure was dropping. Phil was in the hospital for 19 days, receiving the best treatment from the staff at Sloan Kettering. He was in good spirits the entire time (okay, he was human, he may have expressed some dismay here and there about the situation), but he continued to joke with the doctors. On the morning of January 20th, his blood pressure was dropping again, they had been monitoring him all night. We had been talking throughout the night, he said he felt fine. He did have discomfort from the adema but had no complaints about his heart. While they were prodding and poking him on that morning, Phil said he still felt fine in fact he asked the doctor if he could have a cup of hot tea. The doctor smiled and said he appreciated Phil’s enthusiasm, but we would have to wait on the tea. His calmness gave them calmness to be able to better access his health. Phil was even laughing when I asked him if he remembered something silly he said during the night. Phil was stoic to the end. He went into cardiac arrest and passed at 11:37 am. I was blessed that I was able to spend so much time with Phil and to be there for him. He was blessed that he had the support of everyone, and I mean everyone. He enjoyed the time spent with visitors, calls, letters and texts. He had a strong faith that we shared and it helped us through the past months.
Thank you for letting me share our story. Thank you to Judge Schoppert, Judge Chew, Judge Lamb and Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Cheng for organizing the wonderful tribute to Judge Philip L. Morace yesterday (3/3/17).