A U.S. Federal Court has ruled that a new policy announced by President Donald Trump—which sought to make it significantly harder for citizens of travel-restricted countries to obtain Green Cards and work permits—is discriminatory and illegal.
U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick issued the ruling in Boston last Thursday (April 30), simultaneously granting a preliminary injunction against the policy.
Legal Challenge by Immigrants
The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by approximately 200 immigration applicants from 20 nations, including citizens of Iran, Haiti, Venezuela, and Syria.
The plaintiffs alleged that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had ceased processing their applications for asylum, Green Cards, and employment authorization since November 2025.
Judge Kobick stated that withholding applications from citizens of travel-ban countries and treating their nationality as a negative factor is contrary to law.
Violation of Federal Law
In her decision, the judge noted that such policies conflict with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on nationality.
Furthermore, she ruled that a total suspension of the application process violates Congressional mandates, which require the agency to render decisions on such applications.
As part of the judgment, the court has stayed the implementation of the policy for at least 22 specific plaintiffs and has directed both parties to discuss how the ruling will apply to the remaining applicants.
A Significant Precedent
Attorneys for the plaintiffs hailed the decision as a landmark precedent. They argued the ruling demonstrates that the administration cannot unilaterally enforce discriminatory policies without explicit authorization from Congress.
Analysts view this ruling as a major judicial check on the Trump administration’s hardline immigration agenda, suggesting that future policies of a similar nature may face intensified legal scrutiny.
