In a landmark ruling, a federal judge in Rhode Island has struck down U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies that had effectively frozen immigration applications from individuals in 39 countries, including Nigeria. This decision, delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell, addresses significant concerns regarding the legality of the policies that left many applicants in a state of uncertainty.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed in March 2026 by immigrant service organizations and labor unions, which challenged the processing freeze that was initially instituted in response to a tragic shooting incident in Washington, D.C., in November 2025. The shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan immigrant, was accused of the attack, prompting then-President Donald Trump to announce a sweeping immigration crackdown. This included a pledge to "permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries" to allow the U.S. immigration system to recover.

Judge McConnell criticized the policies for lacking proper statutory and regulatory authority, asserting that they were influenced by anti-immigrant sentiments, which he deemed inappropriate for decision-making processes. He emphasized that the hold on immigration adjudications was not a result of any wrongdoing by the applicants but was instead a consequence of their nationality.

The countries affected by the USCIS policies include Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, Somalia, Venezuela, and Syria, among others. Many of these nations have been grappling with significant humanitarian crises, and the ruling is seen as a vital step towards restoring lawful immigration pathways for individuals seeking refuge or opportunities in the United States.

Skye Perryman, the head of Democracy Forward, the legal group representing the plaintiffs, hailed the ruling as a reaffirmation of the principle that the federal government cannot arbitrarily shut down legal immigration avenues based on a person's country of origin. "This ruling reaffirms a basic principle: the federal government cannot shut down lawful immigration pathways or discriminate against people based on where they come from," Perryman stated.

The judge's decision also highlighted that USCIS had violated the immigration laws that Congress mandated it to enforce, as well as the administrative laws that govern its actions. This ruling not only impacts individuals from the affected countries but also sets a precedent for how immigration policies should be formulated and implemented in the future.

Following the ruling, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees USCIS, did not provide immediate comments, leaving many to speculate on the potential implications for future immigration policies. This decision represents a significant victory for advocates of immigration reform and those fighting against discriminatory practices in the U.S. immigration system.