MIAMI (AP) — Christopher Day, a U.S. Army Reserve lawyer serving as a temporary federal immigration judge, was fired approximately one month into his assignment for granting asylum at a rate that conflicted with the Trump administration's mass deportation strategy.
Starting his role in late October at the Annandale, Virginia immigration court, Day was let go around December 2, as confirmed by the National Association of Immigration Judges. The reasons for Day’s dismissal remain unclear, with the Justice Department refusing to comment on personnel matters. However, data from November indicates that he ruled in favor of asylum seekers in six out of eleven cases, a figure not commonly seen amidst the administration's crackdown on immigration.
Since taking office, the Trump administration has sought to overhaul the immigration system aggressively, with a backlog of 3.8 million asylum cases, aiming to expedite removals while decreasing the number of favorable asylum outcomes. In fact, just 10% of migrants under military judges decided by the administration were granted asylum.
Day's firings have sparked concerns over ideological motivations, particularly given that the administration has let go of nearly 100 judges deemed too liberal and has relaxed qualifications for judge applicants, allowing lawyers without immigration law expertise to serve as “Deportation Judges.” Critics argue this redefines the judges' roles from impartial adjudicators to facilitators of government deportation goals.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association has condemned the influx of military personnel as judges, suggesting they lack the necessary immigration law experience. This concern echoes the fundamental role judges play in ensuring fairness, with many expressing fears that the administration is seeking compliance rather than justice.
Day served previously as an attorney in different capacities while simultaneously being a lieutenant colonel within the Army Reserve’s JAG Corps, his recent position being with the Federal Communications Commission. Unlike life-tenured federal judges, immigration judges serve at the pleasure of the Justice Department and can be dismissed with relative ease.
Ultimately, Day’s experience brings to light critical questions regarding judicial independence and the integrity of the immigration system amidst political pressures.
