U.S. Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Green Card Processing

A U.S. judge ordered immigration authorities to resume green card processing, ruling an indefinite pause on applications from certain countries was unlawful.

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that immigration authorities cannot indefinitely suspend green card applications linked to countries under travel restrictions, calling the policy unlawful and ordering processing to resume.

In a 39-page decision, George L. Russell III said the approach by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services amounted to an “unlawful, categorical, and indefinite pause,” affecting applicants already living legally in the United States.

The court directed USCIS to restart processing for at least 83 individuals involved in the case, stressing that the agency does not have the authority to refuse adjudication entirely.

The policy had halted green card processing for immigrants from 39 countries subject to travel bans or visa limits, extending restrictions beyond new arrivals to include long-term legal residents.

Advocacy groups say the impact has been widespread, with estimates suggesting more than two million applications remain pending despite over $1 billion in collected fees.

Several thousand Afghan immigrants in the United States are facing growing uncertainty as their green card applications remain pending, with the processing system effectively paused and no clear timeline for resumption. Many have already waited for years with little progress, and the prolonged delays are deepening frustration and anxiety within the community.

The situation is becoming increasingly urgent for those whose work permits are set to expire soon, raising the risk of losing legal employment and falling into precarious living conditions. Without timely resolution, many fear being pushed into severe financial hardship and legal vulnerability, compounding an already difficult resettlement process.

The suspension stemmed from presidential measures under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows restrictions on entry from countries deemed high-risk on security grounds.

However, critics argue the policy was applied too broadly, affecting individuals who had lived in the United States for years, maintained legal status, and contributed economically.

The ruling comes amid growing concerns over immigration backlogs, as USCIS faces mounting delays with applicants often waiting months or years for decisions on residency status.

While the decision requires action in the specific case, it does not automatically apply to all affected applicants, leaving uncertainty for many still caught in the broader processing freeze.

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