Full Breakdown
Federal Judge Blocks Nationwide Immigration Freeze for 39 Countries
6/7/2026, 8:40:45 AM
Court Blocks Nationwide Immigration Freeze
On June 5, 2026, Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. in Providence, Rhode Island, issued a 135-page opinion striking down USCIS policies that halted asylum, work-permit, green-card and citizenship adjudications for nationals of 39 travel-ban countries. The court found the measures arbitrary, capricious and contrary to immigration and administrative law.
Background
The policies were adopted in November 2025 after a 2025 National Guard shooting by an Afghan national. The administration cited national-security concerns and imposed a global asylum hold while freezing benefit decisions for applicants from the travel-ban nations.
Key Figures & Groups
Judge John J. McConnell Jr., USCIS, James Percival, and these groups: American Gateways, Democracy Forward, Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, Refugee Dream Center, Service Employees International Union, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, African Communities Together, Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, New York Immigration Coalition, Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island, Muslim Advocates, South Asian American Justice Collaborative.
Data & Statistics
The freeze covered 39 countries—Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, Somalia, Venezuela, Syria, Yemen, Palestine—affecting over 1 million citizenship, green-card, work-permit and asylum applications. The six-month hold left many without work authorization or legal status.
Official Statements & Responses
Murad Awawdeh of the New York Immigration Coalition said the administration violated statutes and the rule of law. Skye Perryman of Democracy Forward said the policies caused widespread harm to families, workers, asylum seekers and communities. Omar Bah of the Refugee Dream Center called the decision a powerful affirmation that the judiciary protects immigrant communities.
Criticism & Opposition
DHS General Counsel James Percival called the ruling motivated, saying the court relied on a “left-wing animus” narrative.
Verbatim Quotes
- “USCIS’s hold on adjudications cannot be attributed to anything that these individuals did wrong; rather, it arises solely by the happenstance of their birth.” — Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr.
- “But the rule of law has to apply to everyone equally and, as evident here, USCIS has neither ‘followed the law’ nor ‘done things the right way’,” — Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr.
- “The Left has been running the same gambit with so called ‘animus’ claims since 2017. It is sabotage dressed in legal clothing. It goes like this: (1) the admin is racist, (2) therefore a policy I don’t like is motivated by race, (3) therefore it is invalid. They have used it on virtually every Trump era Department of Homeland Security policy.” — James Percival, General Counsel, DHS
- “These unlawful policies caused enormous harm to families, workers, asylum seekers, and communities across the country who were left in limbo, unable to work, access protections, or move forward with their lives.” — Skye Perryman, President and CEO, Democracy Forward
What’s Next
The ruling vacates the freeze, requiring USCIS to resume adjudicating pending cases. USCIS says it will restart processing, though no timetable is set. Advocacy groups expect a filing surge, while DHS may issue revised guidance that complies with statutory authority, possibly prompting further litigation.
