Story perspectives

Judge Halts 39-Country Immigration Bans, USCIS Must Resume Processing

6/7/2026

34 3

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge John McConnell vacated policies barring immigration applicants from 39 countries and ordered USCIS to resume processing.
The policies were adopted after a November shooting of two National Guard members that prosecutors linked to an Afghan asylum recipient.
The ruling requires USCIS to restart adjudications, schedule naturalization ceremonies for pending applicants, and drew praise from immigration advocates and criticism from DHS general counsel James Percival.

History

Historical Context

The 2001 USA PATRIOT Act’s Title IV expanded the Attorney General’s immigration authority and funded a $50 million boost to border-security staff, reshaping visa screening after 9/11. In 2022 DHS barred asylum seekers from several countries, a rule later struck down by Judge John McConnell in 2024, reviving processing for thousands of applicants.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. District Judge John McConnell vacated policies barring immigration applicants from 39 countries and ordered USCIS to resume processing.
The policies were adopted after a November shooting of two National Guard members that prosecutors linked to an Afghan asylum recipient.
The ruling requires USCIS to restart adjudications, schedule naturalization ceremonies for pending applicants, and drew praise from immigration advocates and criticism from DHS general counsel James Percival.

1 / 2