On June 5, 2026, Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island vacated U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies that had paused the adjudication of immigration benefits for individuals from 39 designated countries. The court found that USCIS exceeded its authority and acted contrary to law by indefinitely holding applications for benefits such as asylum, employment authorization, adjustment of status, and naturalization.
Key Details:
- Ruling date: June 5, 2026
- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
- Policies affected: Adjudication of immigration benefits for individuals from 39 countries
- Benefits impacted: Asylum, employment authorization, adjustment of status, naturalization
This ruling is a significant reminder that while national security concerns are important, federal agencies must operate within the limits established by Congress and adhere to administrative law. For affected applicants and their families, this decision may represent a crucial step toward moving long-delayed cases forward. However, it is important to note that the decision will likely be appealed.
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Source: Yalda Hajavi