U.S. Judge Orders USCIS to Restart Frozen Green Card Cases

Federal Judge Algenon L. Marbley in Ohio issued a preliminary injunction requiring the Department of Homeland Security and USCIS to resume processing permanent‑resident (green‑card) applications, employment authorizations and travel documents that had been suspended under the administration’s security‑related restrictions. The order applies only to the 25 plaintiffs who are already residing in the United States and gives USCIS 30 days to decide on their work‑permit requests. The ruling follows a June decision in Rhode Island that struck down internal USCIS memos freezing cases for nationals of 39 countries.

USCIS routinely denies green‑card petitions for reasons that include false or fraudulent information, inconsistencies, criminal convictions, security or public‑health concerns, failure to respond to evidence requests, missed biometric appointments or interviews, and other statutory grounds of inadmissibility. Applicants may seek waivers or appeal when eligible.