The U.S. immigration court system is buckling under a staggering backlog of over 3.7 million cases, leaving millions of noncitizens in limbo. At the forefront of addressing this crisis is Lauren Alder Reid, a seasoned policy expert whose 14-year tenure at the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has shaped critical aspects of U.S. immigration policy. Her recent dismissal from her role as Assistant Director of the Office of Policy has sparked renewed debate about the need for systemic reform. This article explores Reid’s contributions, the immigration court crisis, and her urgent call for congressional action.
Lauren Alder Reid’s Legacy at EOIR
Lauren Alder Reid served as a cornerstone of the EOIR, holding key roles such as Chief and Counsel for the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs before becoming Assistant Director of the Office of Policy. Her work focused on strengthening due process, improving attorney discipline programs, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. For instance, Reid organized the 2016 Atlanta Immigration Court stakeholder meeting, which streamlined court operations and enhanced public understanding of immigration processes (DOJ EOIR).
Reid’s efforts ensured immigration judges had the tools to uphold fairness while navigating an increasingly strained system. Her expertise in policy development and ethical standards has left a lasting impact, but the growing case backlog posed challenges that even her extensive experience couldn’t fully resolve.
The Immigration Court Backlog: A Growing Crisis
As of July 2025, the immigration court backlog has surged to 3.7 million cases, with wait times averaging 4.3 years, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). This crisis stems from a combination of increased case filings, limited judicial resources, and operational disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the EOIR hiring 700 immigration judges, the backlog is projected to hit 3.9 million by mid-2026 without intervention.
Reid has consistently emphasized the need for systemic solutions. “Congress needs to act to address the backlog and restore efficiency,” she stated in a 2024 interview with Politico. She advocates for prioritizing high-priority cases, such as those involving unaccompanied minors, and leveraging technology like the EOIR Court and Appeals System (ECAS) to reduce delays.
Administrative Upheaval and Its Consequences
In January 2025, Reid was abruptly removed from her EOIR position alongside Chief Immigration Judge Sheila McNulty and General Counsel Jill Anderson. The dismissals, part of the Trump administration’s immigration policy overhaul, came without explanation, raising concerns about politicization. Reid told ABC News, “They provided no reason, despite my 16 years of exemplary performance and no prior disciplinary actions” (ABC News).
The firings coincided with the termination of 20 immigration judges and a reduction of the Board of Immigration Appeals from 23 to 15 members. Recent directives encouraging judges to dismiss asylum claims without hearings have further eroded due process, particularly for unrepresented migrants. These changes threaten the courts’ ability to manage the backlog and maintain impartiality, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
The Urgent Need for Congressional Reform
Reid’s insights highlight the necessity of congressional reform to address the immigration court crisis. Advocacy groups, including AILA, have pushed for an independent court system outside DOJ control, as proposed in the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2022. Such independence would shield judges from political pressures and ensure fair hearings, as outlined in a recent Congressional Research Service report. Reid supports this, noting, “An independent system is critical to restoring trust and efficiency.”
Additional reforms could include increasing judicial funding, streamlining case prioritization, and expanding legal representation for noncitizens. Without action, the backlog will continue to grow, exacerbating delays and human costs. Reid’s expertise underscores the urgency of these measures, particularly as enforcement budgets rise under H.R. 1 while judicial resources lag.
What Lies Ahead for Reid and Immigration Policy?
Following her departure, Lauren Alder Reid is exploring “all options,” including potential legal action to challenge her dismissal. Her extensive experience positions her to lead advocacy efforts, possibly with organizations like the National Immigration Law Center. Meanwhile, the immigration court system faces mounting challenges, with stakeholders urging Congress to act swiftly.
