MIAMI (AP) — A U.S. Army Reserve lawyer detailed as a federal immigration judge has been terminated merely a month into the position after granting asylum at a rate inconsistent with the Trump administration's mass deportation strategies, according to reports.
Christopher Day initiated his role in late October at the immigration court in Annandale, Virginia, but was let go around December 2, as confirmed by the National Association of Immigration Judges.
The reasons for Day's dismissal remain unclear. He did not respond to requests for comments, and a Justice Department spokesperson refrained from discussing personnel decisions.
Federal data shows that out of 11 asylum cases he adjudicated in November, Day granted asylum in six instances, indicating a significant divergence from the administration's goal of expedited deportations amid a backlog of 3.8 million asylum cases.
This trend towards favorable asylum outcomes has been rare under the current administration. Efforts to reshape the immigration court system have seen nearly 100 judges removed for perceived liberal biases, while new recruitment allows attorneys of varied backgrounds to apply as “Deportation Judges.”
In a push to expedite asylum cases, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sanctioned the deployment of military lawyers, reflecting a strategy to redefine judges’ roles in alignment with the administration’s stricter immigration policies. The American Immigration Lawyers Association criticized this move, equating it to placing inexperienced individuals in specialized roles.
Day’s notably different rulings positioned him at risk for dismissal, raising concerns among immigration advocates about fairness in judicial appointments and the ideological implications of such actions.
Firing judges like Day may set a precedent in regard to judicial independence, particularly concerning immigration cases and underscores the heightened scrutiny over immigration enforcement tactics. The case is emblematic of a broader policy climate that seeks compliance from those in judicial roles regarding the administration's stringent immigration demands.
