What is Judge Kai Bernal-LeClaire's background?
EOIR's notice says that Kai Bernal-LeClaire was appointed in July 2026. Judge Bernal-LeClaire earned a Bachelor of Science in 2003 from the University of Florida, a Master of Science in 2004 from the University of Florida, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2008 from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. From January 2017 to July 2026, he served as an assistant and associate counsel with the Office of the General Counsel, Department of the Navy, at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport, Newport, Rhode Island; Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division; and Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C. He also served in various positions as judge advocate with the U.S. Navy from August 2008 to January 2017 including two deployments at sea aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and one deployment to Iraq. Judge Bernal-LeClaire holds the rank of commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
What the official record establishes
The source lists the name Kai Bernal-LeClaire in 1 alphabetical row. The recorded title is Immigration Judge. The record is not an appointment history or an employment certification.
Dated court associations
EOIR’s court-specific tables associate this entry with Chelmsford Immigration Court. The relationship is recorded as listed 2026-10-20; it may include supervisory coverage rather than a merits-hearing assignment.
No outcome or personal-profile claims
This entry does not provide an asylum approval rate, predict a decision, or claim personal background not established by the cited source. Confirm the assigned judge and attendance details from your notice and the court. A change of judge does not by itself change deadlines or excuse attendance.