The Trump administration fired Seattle immigration judge Susana Reyes, part of over 80 dismissals raising concerns about court capacity and judicial independence.

The Trump administration has fired Seattle immigration judge Susana Reyes, one of over 80 judges dismissed since January, according to multiple reports. Reyes, hired during the Biden administration and nearing the end of her probation, received her termination notice in September. Her dismissal adds to growing concerns over the immigration court system’s capacity, with fewer than 600 judges now handling approximately 3.8 million unresolved cases. The administration has also prompted resignations and reassignments, prompting criticism from union leaders and former judges who say the changes threaten judicial independence and efficiency. In response, the government has deployed military attorneys to temporarily fill vacancies, raising questions about the fairness and consistency of rulings. The firings have intensified scrutiny over the impact on case backlogs and the rule of law in immigration proceedings.