U.S. Immigration Judge
Arlington, VA
Pictured addressing conference at CIS
PHOTO: YouTube
😎👨🏻⚖️⚖️ HEEEEEEEEEEE’S BACK! — Judge Lawrence O. “Larry” Burman Returns To Bench After 9-Month “Mystery Disappearance!”
By Paul Wickham Schmidt
Courtside Exclusive
Feb. 2, 2022
Reliable sources tell Courtside that previously “missing in action” U.S. Immigration Judge Lawrence O. “Larry” Burman (a/k/a “The Burmanator”) will be back on the bench today at the Annandale Immigration Court. Judge Burman was on the bench at the “Legacy Arlington Immigration Court” at the time of his sudden disappearance around May 2022.
The recently-established Annandale outpost of EOIR can be considered the “direct successor” to the legendary Arlington Court, which passed into EOIR history on October 14, 2022, while Judge B was still missing. See https://immigrationcourtside.com/2022/11/07/⚖️🪦-requiem-for-a-heavyweight-farewell-to-the-arlington-immigration-court/. The Annandale Court inherited the coveted, noble “WAS” docket designation from Arlington (which, in turn, harkened back to the days of yore when there actually was an Immigration Court operating within the bounds of our nation’s capital).
No official explanation was given for Judge Burman’s lengthy absence and abrupt return. “Disappearing judges” are hardly an unusual occurrence at EOIR, where non-transparency is institutionalized.
“Rehabilitation and reappearance” of “disappeared judges” is somewhat rarer, although not unprecedented. Some reportedly are restored to good graces only after surviviung time in rigorous “reeducation camps” rumored to be operating within EOIR’s “secret empire.” In accordance with standard EOIR policies, neither Judge Burman nor anyone within the ponderous EOIR bureaucracy was available for comment on this incident.
Judge Burman’s resurrection is good news for those who practice before the Annandale Court. A number previously expressed to Courtside their worries and grave concerns for the judge’s physical and emotional health and well-being and their well-wishes for his safe return. A few “off the bench, in person” sightings of the renowned jurist toward the end of 2022 gave hope for those who had “feared the worst.”
As previously described in Courtside, Judge Burman has had an illustrious four-decade plus legal career since graduating from Maryland Law in 1978.
Judge Burman has been an Immigration Judge for nearly a quarter-century, serving at the Los Angeles and Memphis Immigration Courts before arriving in Arlington. He has been a leader in court-related CLE, serving as a past chair of the FBA’s Immigration Section and the creator and editor emeritus of The Green Card, that section’s educational newsletter. He also has been an officer of the National Association of Immigration Judges (“NAIJ”), where (perhaps ironically) he successfully represented a number of colleagues charged with disciplinary infractions or wrongfully denied benefits.
Until “grounded” by the Trump DOJ, Judge Burman was one of a limited number of local judges eager and willing to participate in educational events sponsored by bar associations and other groups. A graduate of UVA and Maryland Law, and a U.S. Army veteran, Judge Burman had careers in the “Legacy INS” and private practice before being appointed to the bench by then Attorney General Janet Reno in 1998.
Welcome back, “Bumanator!” As we say in the business, “Live long and prosper!” 🌌🚀
🇺🇸 Due Process Forever!
PWS
02-02-22
Spectacular news! But so sad Bryant left without saying goodbye. Hopefully we’ll see him around soon – he practically watched my daughter grow up in his courtroom!
Thanks, Ellennita!
I agree on both counts! Both of my former judicial colleagues have been huge contributors to due process, fundamental fairness, and best practices @ EOIR over decades of dedicated public service, often under very difficult circumstances. They have saved lives and changed futures for the better! Judge Bryant’s EOIR service goes all the way back to the days of the late Chief Immigration Judge William R. Robie, the first to hold that position under EOIR. A stickler for order and process, CJ Robie undoubtedly would be horrified at the mess EOIR has evolved into today!
DPF!
😎⚖️🗽
Arlington Immigration Court is misspelled. Bumanator sounds derogatory. Motive?
Thanks! Spelling corrected!