Boswell native appointed as federal immigration judge
An interest in the law and languages has led Boswell native Gina L. Reynolds to her vocation. And now she's taken another step in her career journey.
Reynolds was appointed to serve as a federal immigration judge in Chicago, Illinois. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Department of Justice appointee was sworn in Oct. 25, at an investiture ceremony held at the Chicago Immigration Court. Judge Reynolds took her oath along with 31 other judges around the nation in a ceremony administered virtually by senior judge Daniel Weiss in Ft. Worth, Texas.
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Up until her appointment, she practiced immigration law at the firm of Hernandez and Reynolds.
"I've always had an interest in law since I was young," she said. "And my dad was an attorney."
Judge Reynolds is the daughter of Gordon and Dona Reynolds of Boswell. She is a North Star High School graduate who received her bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and her Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
She said she worked with her dad in his law practice and went on to law school. She said she decided to specialize in immigration because she's always been interested in languages and asylum and asylum seekers.
"I wanted to do something about people who are in danger and feel threatened. To get them to safety," she said. "My aunt traveled and I read a lot. I don't actually speak many languages, but I've studied them. You need a lot of exposure to understand it."
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Reynolds said her robing ceremony was very special because her parents and husband put the robe on her.
Immigration judges decide whether a noncitizen can remain in the United States or if they must leave the country for whatever reason. Reynolds said the proceedings are basically the same as in criminal or civil court — the person is charged, either admits or denies the charges, presents their defense and then the judge determines to either remove (deport) them, or let them stay in the United States.
But unlike criminal and civil cases, immigration cases cannot be ruled on by a jury. Only an immigration judge decides on the case.
The new judge was also an active volunteer for many years with the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Immigration Clinic and was named the 2022 AILA Chapter Pro Bono Champion by the American Immigration Lawyers Association for her volunteer work with the clinic. She said she's enjoying living in Chicago with her husband, Moises Hernandez.
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"I like the big city. The amenities, anything you want to do, are close by," she said. "And there are lights here! When I go home it's so dark when I'm driving at night."
She particularly enjoys going to the ballet and dance programs. She also teaches yoga.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County native appointed federal immigration judge
