U.S. judge blocks Trump immigration policy affecting 39 countries

A federal judge has blocked Trump administration immigration policies that had slowed or paused benefit decisions for applicants from 39 countries, according to court records and multiple news reports.

The order, issued June 5 by U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Rhode Island, vacates four USCIS policies that plaintiffs argued were unlawful. Those policies included the Global Asylum Hold Policy, Benefits Hold Policy, Comprehensive Re-Review Policy and Country-Specific Factors Policy.

Reuters and The Associated Press reported that the ruling affects pending cases involving asylum, work permits, green cards and citizenship applications. The court order says the challenged policies are unlawful and are vacated and set aside.

The decision is the latest legal setback for immigration restrictions tied to the administration’s travel-ban countries. The ruling applies nationwide and could affect how USCIS handles pending applications from people in the 39-country group.

What happens next is still unclear. The cited reporting did not confirm whether the government will seek an immediate stay or appeal, or how quickly USCIS will implement the order.

The case is newly developed and remains one to watch as the legal and administrative response takes shape.