US Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Green Card Processing for Trump Travel Ban Victims

US Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Green Card Processing for Trump Travel Ban Victims

A United States federal judge, George L. Russell III, has ordered the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume processing green card applications for immigrants affected by former President Donald Trump’s expanded travel restrictions covering nationals from 39 countries.

The court ruled that USCIS acted unlawfully by placing immigration applications on indefinite hold without issuing final decisions. The judge emphasized that while immigration authorities have discretion to approve or deny applications, they are not permitted to completely stop processing them.

“USCIS does not have discretion to decide not to adjudicate at all,” Judge Russell wrote in a 39-page ruling delivered on Monday.

The US government had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in immigration processing decisions. However, the judge rejected this argument, clarifying that the court was not ordering approvals but only requiring that applications be processed and decisions issued within a reasonable timeframe.

The ruling applies directly to 83 plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit challenging the indefinite suspension of their immigration applications. Legal experts say it could also influence similar cases involving thousands of other immigrants affected by the policy.

READ ALSO:

• MURIC Condemns Rape of 11-Year-Old Hijab Girl in Ogun, Warns Against Cover-Up
• Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury Fight Deal Confirmed, Eddie Hearn Reveals
• +Naira Remains Stable in Official Market Amid Rising Black Market Dollar Demand

Following the expansion of the travel restrictions in January, many immigrants from designated “high-risk countries” had their immigration processes paused. This included green card applications, visa renewals, and work authorisation permits.

Some applicants were unable to renew work permits, while international students under Optional Practical Training (OPT), particularly in STEM fields, also faced delays that affected their legal status and employment.

Advocacy group Project Pause Unpause, which supported the lawsuit, said USCIS collected over $1 billion in application fees from immigrants whose cases were not processed. The group described the ruling as a major victory for affected applicants, many of whom have lived in the US for years, paid taxes, and contributed to the economy.

USCIS defended the pause, saying it was necessary for enhanced national security screening of applicants from countries classified as high risk. The agency said the suspension allowed for more thorough vetting and insisted that protecting US citizens remains its top priority.

Although the court ruling does not guarantee approval of any application, it requires USCIS to stop leaving applicants in indefinite limbo and ensure timely decisions are made.

Legal analysts say the decision could set an important precedent for future cases involving immigration delays, administrative fairness, and due process rights in the United States.

Several African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, are among those affected by the broader restrictions, leaving many long-term residents uncertain about their immigration status.

The case adds to ongoing legal challenges against immigration policies introduced during the Trump administration, many of which continue to face judicial scrutiny and revisions.

US Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Green Card Processing for Trump Travel Ban Victims