A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from freezing work permits, green cards, citizenship applications and other immigration benefits for noncitizens from 39 countries affected by the government’s travel bans. The 135-page ruling, from U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island, opens the door for hundreds of thousands of people with pending immigration-related applications to have these benefits unpaused.
What changed
The 135-page ruling struck down four Trump administration policies, including a global asylum hold; a benefits hold on work permits, green cards, and naturalizations; a comprehensive review policy to look at already-decided cases; and the country-specific ban, which required officers to treat certain nationalities as riskier. USCIS implemented the policies late last year and early this year, in response to directives from the White House.
One of the policies McConnell invalidated had halted all legal immigration applications filed by citizens of 39 countries listed on President Trump’s so-called “travel ban” list.
The judge rejected the government’s national security justification. He added that USCIS tried to justify its actions “with pretextual concerns of ‘national security’ that mask anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision making.” He pointed to statements from President Donald Trump himself, who said at one rally last year that he was pausing migration “from hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and many other countries.”
Why it matters
McConnell said USCIS needs to restart application processing for all immigrants impacted by the pause, and the agency can no longer rely on the blanket policies. This affects a substantial backlog: hundreds of thousands of people have been stuck in limbo for a significant period of time, many of whom have lost clarity about whether or not they would be able to obtain or maintain immigration status in the U.S.
For affected applicants, the practical impact is immediate:
- Work authorization cases that were indefinitely paused must now resume review
- Green card applications for nationals of the 39 countries are no longer subject to a blanket freeze
- Asylum adjudications can proceed
- Naturalizations for eligible applicants can move forward
The ruling does not guarantee outcomes for applicants, only that their cases will be processed. USCIS officers must now make individualized assessments rather than applying country-based holds.
Way forward
- Audit your pending docket: If you have clients or cases affected by the freeze, flag them and prioritize follow-up with USCIS. Request status updates on work permits, green card applications, or asylum cases stalled since late 2025.
- Expect appeals: The government can appeal the opinion to the First Circuit. The ruling is not final, so monitor First Circuit developments and be prepared to cite this decision if the government delays compliance.
- Document compliance: If USCIS fails to resume processing for your clients despite the order, document the delay and consider filing for mandamus or requesting congressional inquiries.
- Educate clients: Explain that their cases are now moving forward, but outcomes are not guaranteed—only processing. Manage expectations on timeline.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Folaform is software, not a law firm. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently. You should consult with a licensed immigration attorney about your specific case or situation. This article reflects a court decision as of its publication date; policy and legal interpretations can change without notice. Always verify the current status of any policy or ruling by consulting the primary source and a qualified attorney.