US Federal Judges Block Key Trump Immigration Policies

A federal judge ordered the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume processing thousands of immigration applications that had been frozen under policies targeting 39 countries, affecting green cards, naturalization, asylum and work permits.

In a separate ruling, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston vacated President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee for H‑1B visa applicants, finding the charge violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution because it functioned as an unauthorized tax. The decision follows challenges by 20 states and comments from New York Attorney General Letitia James, while the White House announced plans to appeal.

Both rulings represent significant legal setbacks to the Trump administration's immigration agenda and are expected to impact thousands of immigrants and skilled workers pending further appeals.