# Brian Palmer

Immigration Judge · [Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center](/kyj/court/va/eoir-virginia-richmond-immigration-adjudication-center)

Last updated October 25, 2026

## Brian Palmer at a glance

Current role

Immigration Judge

Court

[Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center](/kyj/court/va/eoir-virginia-richmond-immigration-adjudication-center)

Jurisdiction

Virginia · Federal

Judicial service

Active

## Immigration proceeding outcomes

No proceeding outcomes in this EOIR release are matched to this profile. Any separately published asylum statistics are available below.

Asylum decisions and other statistics

## Analytics

Published EOIR records include 1,718 asylum outcomes associated with this judge. Asylum was granted in 321 (18.7%) and denied in 1,300 (75.7%); 97 were other or procedural outcomes. [Explore analytics](#analytics)

## Biography

### Professional career

- 1987-2018: U.S. Marine Corps legal career, including attorney, judge and commanding-officer assignments in multiple locations/deployments
- Served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1987 to 2018, holding roles as attorney, judge, and commanding officer across multiple locations including Washington, D.C., Camp Lejeune (NC), Parris Island (SC), Norfolk (VA), Okinawa (Japan), Stuttgart (Germany), Kaneohe Bay (HI), and Cherry Point (NC).

### Education

- Brian T. Palmer obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1982 from Brockport State University of New York, a Juris Doctor in 1986 from Western New England College School of Law, and a Master of Law in 1992 from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School.

### Additional information

- As of 2026, Brian Palmer continues to serve as an Immigration Judge, with a record reflecting a high rate of asylum denials relative to peers, demonstrating a strict adjudication approach in immigration cases.
- Appointed as an Immigration Judge in October 2018.
- LL.M. — U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School — 1992
- 1986-1987: Private-practice associate, East Hartford, Connecticut
- Current DOJ directory lists him at Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center.
- Connecticut Bar
- Hawaii Bar
- District of Columbia Bar
- He supervised and trained attorneys and administrative staff, managed budgets and human resources, and provided legal guidance on criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
- He also deployed to combat zones in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.
- Beyond his judicial role, Palmer held senior legal advisory positions in the Marine Corps, including Deputy Commander and acting Commanding General over multiple Marine Corps bases and air stations.

## Sources

Identity source checked August 30, 2026 .

Biography sources checked October 11, 2026 .

### DOJ EOIR current immigration judge directory

Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 30, 2026

### EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 2.1 - Delivery and Receipt

Courtwide source · HTML · Source checked July 30, 2026

### EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 2.3 - Documents

### EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 3.10 - Interpreters

### EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 3.11 - Courtroom Decorum

### EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 3.12 - Electronic Devices

### EOIR Policy Manual, Part II, Chapter 3.15 - Individual Calendar Hearing

### Find an Immigration Court and Access Internet-Based Hearings

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