Judge blocks Trump policies that halted legal immigration cases for many immigrants A federal judge in Rhode Island has halted Trump administration policies that blocked immigrants from receiving asylum, green cards, and other legal benefits. Chief Judge John McConnell ruled that these sweeping limits were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to federal law. The invalidated policies had stopped applications from citizens of 39 countries on the travel ban list and initially paused all asylum cases.

• A federal judge in Rhode Island has blocked Trump administration measures affecting legal immigration benefits.
• The policies prevented asylum, green cards, and other benefits for many immigrants.
• Chief Judge John McConnell found the limits arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to federal law.
• One halted policy affected citizens of 39 countries on the travel ban list.
• The administration cited national security concerns for the measures.
• The judge stated the concerns masked anti-immigrant sentiments.
• The Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling as “sabotage dressed in legal clothing.”