US Court Rules Trump Immigration Policies Targeting 39 Countries Unlawful

WASHINGTON, United States — A federal court in Washington ruled that the Trump administration's policies blocking immigration applications from citizens of 39 countries were unlawful, finding they lacked legal or regulatory authority. US District Court Judge John McConnell, based in Providence, Rhode Island, found that immigration and citizenship agencies implemented the measures without proper legal basis. The judge noted applicants from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East had waited months for processing, and that agency decisions relied on what the ruling described as "anti-immigrant sentiment." Judge McConnell, who was appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, determined the agencies violated procedures established by Congress. The ruling marked a victory for immigrant service organizations and unions that filed the lawsuit in March 2026. The agencies had tightened immigration policies following a November 2025 armed attack on National Guard members in Washington.