A federal judge has struck down sweeping restrictions imposed by the Trump administration that halted asylum and visa processing for citizens of 39 countries. The ruling on Friday by District Judge John McConnell stated that the policy, implemented in November 2025, effectively barred individuals from these nations from receiving final decisions on asylum cases, green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications.

McConnell condemned the restrictions, writing that they "threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo." He specifically took issue with the administration's justification of national security concerns, asserting that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) used "pretextual concerns of ‘national security’ that mask anti-immigrant sentiments."

The judge emphasized that the hold on adjudications was not due to any wrongdoing by the affected individuals, but rather "solely by the happenstance of their birth." Many of these individuals have remained without work, legal status, or the ability to plan their futures for over six months, McConnell noted.

The ruling has significant implications for legal immigration pathways and could lead to the reopening of numerous stalled cases. The 39 countries affected by the original policy are predominantly located in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This decision challenges the administration's broader approach to immigration, which has included efforts to target legal immigration routes in addition to pledges for mass deportations.

This action follows other immigration-related measures by the Trump administration, including a separate pause on most immigrant visas from 75 countries in January, citing risks of reliance on social services. The administration also previously set a historically low cap on refugee admissions, later raising it, and has faced criticism for prioritizing the relocation of White Afrikaners.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, commented on the ruling, stating that it "reaffirms a basic principle: the federal government cannot shut down lawful immigration pathways or discriminate against people based on where they come from."

The restrictions were reportedly enacted following the Washington, DC shooting of two National Guard members, though the judge found this justification to be pretextual. The ruling highlights ongoing legal battles over the administration's immigration policies.

The decision leaves unresolved questions about how USCIS will proceed with processing the backlog of cases and whether the administration will appeal the judge's decision.