Trump Administration Restarts Asylum and Immigration Processing After Federal Court Order

The Trump administration announced Friday that it will resume processing asylum claims and immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries, complying with a federal court order that struck down a six-month freeze on adjudications.[1][2]

The reversal comes after a tense standoff between the Department of Homeland Security and Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island, who ruled on June 5 that the administration's blanket pause was unlawful and arbitrary.[2][4]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had indefinitely suspended processing for citizens of the 39 nations—which are also subject to a presidential travel ban—in November 2025.[3][5]

The freeze halted progress on asylum claims, green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications, leaving hundreds of thousands of immigrants in legal limbo.[1][6]

The administration implemented the sweeping pause following an incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard troops.[2][5]

At the time, USCIS officials stated that adjudications would remain suspended until the agency could ensure "maximum screening and vetting" for national security purposes.[5][6]

However, a coalition of labor unions and immigrant rights organizations sued, arguing that the executive branch lacked the statutory authority to unilaterally shut down the immigration system for specific nationalities.[3][6]

In his 135-page ruling, Judge McConnell agreed with the plaintiffs, finding that USCIS violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act.[5][6]

He wrote that the agency had "placed the lives of countless individuals on hold—solely by virtue of their countries of birth," punishing immigrants who had followed all legal processes.[2][4]

Despite the June 5 order to resume processing, the administration did not immediately comply, prompting the plaintiffs to return to court. On Thursday, Judge McConnell issued a sharp rebuke, stating that "court orders vacating and setting aside agency policies have immediate effect once they are issued," and demanded a status report within 24 hours.[2][4]

On Friday, a USCIS spokesperson confirmed the agency is "complying with the court order," though they emphasized that the administration "strongly disagrees" with the ruling.[1][4]

Department of Homeland Security officials have fiercely criticized the judicial intervention. DHS General Counsel James Percival characterized the lawsuits as "sabotage dressed in legal clothing," accusing opponents of using the courts to undermine the administration's national security policies.[2][5]

Immigrant advocacy groups celebrated the compliance announcement as a critical victory for the rule of law. Representatives from the New York Immigration Coalition and the Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island stated that the ruling provides reassurance to communities who have lived in profound fear and uncertainty since November.[3][5]

While processing must resume immediately, the legal battle is not over. The Justice Department formally appealed McConnell's ruling to the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday.[2][4]

Government lawyers have indicated they will seek an emergency stay of the order while the appeal is adjudicated. If the appellate court grants the stay, the processing freeze could be reinstated, potentially sending the dispute to the Supreme Court's emergency docket.[2][6]