A U.S. federal court has delivered a major relief to immigrants whose green card applications had been delayed, ruling that the government cannot indefinitely pause or freeze immigration processing for people affected by travel restrictions.
The decision found that the policy implemented by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was unlawful because it amounted to an open-ended suspension of immigration benefits.
The court emphasized that immigration authorities are required to continue reviewing applications, especially for individuals who have already submitted all required documents and met eligibility standards.
As part of the ruling, USCIS has been directed to immediately resume processing applications for at least 83 applicants involved in the lawsuit. The case is expected to set an important precedent that could influence how similar stalled applications are handled in the future.
At the centre of the dispute was a broad policy that had halted green card processing for applicants from 39 countries affected by travel bans and other visa restrictions.
Many of the affected individuals were already living legally in the United States and had been waiting for decisions on their applications for an extended period.
Critics of the policy argued that it unfairly disadvantaged immigrants who had fully complied with legal procedures.
Some of the applicants had lived in the U.S. for years and were contributing to important sectors such as healthcare, science, engineering, and technology. Reports also indicate that several of them had already received special approvals, including national interest waivers, which made the prolonged delays even more controversial.
Court documents highlighted concerns about the impact of the suspension on skilled professionals and families who were left in prolonged uncertainty despite meeting all requirements.
The ruling also comes amid growing scrutiny of immigration policies introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration, including travel bans and stricter vetting processes.
Some of these measures have raised legal and constitutional concerns, particularly regarding potential impacts on free speech, after certain guidance suggested that political activity could be considered during immigration screening.
In addition, the case emerges shortly after a temporary suspension of the Diversity Visa Lottery program following a security-related incident, a move that has sparked renewed debate over the future of the programme.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly known as the green card lottery, is a U.S. government initiative that provides a limited number of people from eligible countries the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in the United States.
It has long been significant for many applicants globally, including Kenyans, who have historically benefited from the programme as a pathway to live and work in the U.S.
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