A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the Trump Administration’s policy pausing visa and green card processing for applicants from 39 countries is unlawful, calling the move inconsistent with administrative law.
The decision comes after the administration had effectively halted immigration processing for certain categories of applicants, citing expanded travel restrictions linked to national security concerns.
Judge Orders Processing to Resume
The ruling was issued by Maryland District Judge George L. Russell III, who directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume processing applications for a group of affected individuals already living legally in the United States.
The judge emphasized that federal agencies cannot simply stop adjudicating applications altogether, stating that such a blanket pause exceeded legal authority.
Policy Described as “Arbitrary and Capricious”
In his written judgment, the court found that the policy was applied broadly based on country of birth rather than individual case assessment. The ruling described this approach as “arbitrary and capricious” and inconsistent with established administrative law principles.
The decision highlights concerns over blanket immigration restrictions that do not account for case-by-case evaluation.
Background of the Visa Restrictions
The policy in question was part of broader immigration measures linked to expanded travel restrictions introduced under the Trump administration, which reportedly took effect in early 2026.
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Under the measure, visa and green card processing for applicants from 39 countries was placed on indefinite hold, creating a backlog of applications and legal challenges.
Legal and Financial Impact
The ruling comes amid multiple lawsuits challenging similar immigration restrictions. Reports suggest that more than two million applications have been left pending, with significant administrative revenue tied up in the process.
Legal monitoring groups estimate that the backlog has generated over a billion dollars in fees collected from applicants whose cases remain unresolved.
Wider Implications
The court’s decision is likely to have broader implications for immigration policy, particularly regarding the limits of executive authority in suspending administrative processes.
It also reinforces the requirement for agencies to follow established legal procedures when implementing large-scale policy changes affecting immigration applicants.
Conclusion
The ruling against the visa pause marks a significant legal setback for the Trump administration’s immigration policy approach. By ordering the resumption of processing and rejecting blanket suspensions, the court has reinforced the principle that immigration decisions must be handled through lawful and individualized procedures.
