Chicago – June 06, 2026
A federal judge has struck down several Trump administration policies that restricted asylum claims and delayed immigration benefit applications for people from 39 countries. The ruling, issued by Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, found that the measures unlawfully suspended asylum processing and froze applications for work permits, green cards, and citizenship.
The policies were introduced following a 2025 shooting involving an Afghan national and were justified by the administration as national security measures. However, Judge McConnell ruled that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services exceeded its legal authority and acted without proper justification, describing the policies as “arbitrary and capricious.” He also criticized what he called evidence of anti-immigrant bias behind the measures.
Immigrant advocacy groups welcomed the decision, saying it restores lawful immigration pathways and protects applicants from discrimination based on nationality. The ruling is expected to affect thousands of pending immigration and asylum cases nationwide.
