Breaking: Army Reserve Lawyer Fired as Immigration Judge Weeks into Role
In a rapid growth, a U.S. Army Reserve attorney serving as a temporary immigration judge was dismissed after roughly five weeks on the bench. The firing followed a string of asylum grants that appeared to align with a more permissive approach than the administration’s broader deportation push.
The judge, Christopher Day, began hearing cases in late October at the immigration court in Annandale, Virginia. The termination occurred around December 2, according to the National association of Immigration Judges.
Officials have not publicly explained the decision. Day did not respond to requests for comment, and a Justice Department spokesperson declined to discuss personnel matters. Federal data from November show Day’s rulings on asylum cases diverged from the administration’s stated goals.
In November, Day concluded 11 asylum cases and granted asylum or other relief in six of them. The figures were analyzed by Mobile pathways, a San Francisco‑based nonprofit.
The episode comes as the administration seeks to overhaul roughly 3.8 million pending asylum cases across 75 immigration courts. the goal is to accelerate deportations and reduce a growing backlog.
As part of that push, the administration has fired nearly 100 judges deemed too liberal and eased rules to allow any attorney to apply for what recruitment ads have described as a “Deportation Judge.”
In response,Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved deploying up to 600 military lawyers to hear asylum cases. Advocates argue the move expands capacity, while critics warn it could politicize adjudication.
So far,about 30 service members have been detailed to immigration courts. Data show that nine in 10 asylum decisions by these military judges in November resulted in removal orders or self‑deportation requests, a higher rate than the 63% seen among non‑military judges. Day’s rulings,by contrast,did not follow that trend and have drawn scrutiny from veterans and observers alike.
Experts note that military judges operate under different employment rules than federal judges. If actions against a military attorney are later found to be improper, the review process can be lengthy and complex, possibly affecting career prospects and discharge status.
Day is a longtime federal employee and a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps.His previous role included work for the Federal Communications Commission during the Biden administration. Unlike federal judges, immigration judges are DOJ employees and can be removed with fewer protections.
The Pentagon has held training for new judges, including those assigned to the immigration courts. An internal memo described incentives for volunteers and the possibility of relocation if necessary,highlighting ongoing debates over how best to staff the system while pursuing policy goals.
| fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Christopher Day |
| U.S. Army Reserve lawyer; temporary immigration judge | |
| Location | Annandale Immigration Court, Virginia |
| Start date | Late October |
| Firing date | approximately December 2 |
| November rulings | 6 of 11 asylum grants or relief |
| Context | Part of broader push to clear asylum backlog across 75 courts |
What are your thoughts on using temporarily detailed military lawyers in civilian courts? Should civil service protections remain robust for these roles?
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Note: This report reflects publicly available information and ongoing policy developments surrounding immigration courts and staffing.
