A major federal court ruling has delivered significant relief to immigrants from 39 countries, including Kenya, after a U.S. judge struck down several immigration policies introduced during the Trump administration.
On June 5, 2026, Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. ruled that the nationwide immigration processing freeze imposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was unlawful and ordered the government to immediately resume adjudicating affected immigration applications. The decision came in the case of Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, a lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy organizations and labor unions challenging the restrictive measures.
What the Court Decided
In a strongly worded 135-page ruling, Judge McConnell found that USCIS exceeded its legal authority by implementing policies that effectively blocked immigrants from dozens of countries from receiving decisions on immigration benefits.
The judge concluded that the agency’s actions were “arbitrary and capricious” and determined that the policies were influenced by unlawful discrimination based on nationality rather than legitimate legal authority. He further stated that many immigrants were left in prolonged uncertainty simply because of their country of birth.
The ruling immediately vacates four major immigration policies that had been implemented after a 2025 security incident involving an Afghan immigrant.
Four Key Policies Struck Down
The court invalidated the following USCIS directives:
1. Global Asylum Freeze
A nationwide suspension of asylum adjudications that halted decisions on pending asylum applications.
2. Benefits Hold for 39 Countries
An indefinite pause on immigration benefits for nationals from 39 countries targeted under expanded travel-ban measures.
3. Nationality-Based Negative Factor Policy
A directive instructing immigration officers to treat an applicant’s nationality as a significant negative consideration during case reviews.
4. Retroactive Re-Review Policy
A requirement forcing USCIS officers to conduct additional reviews of immigration benefits approved during the Biden administration.
What This Means for Kenyans
For many Kenyans living in the United States or pursuing immigration benefits, the ruling could have far-reaching implications.
Applications that had been placed on hold can now move forward, including:
- Green Card applications
- Adjustment of Status cases
- Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
- Naturalization and U.S. citizenship applications
- Asylum applications
- Family-based immigration petitions
Thousands of Kenyan immigrants and families who had been waiting months for decisions may now see progress on their cases as USCIS resumes processing.
More Than One Million Immigrants Affected
The immigration freeze impacted more than one million individuals from countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Many applicants experienced job losses, expired work permits, delayed green cards, family separation, and uncertainty about their legal status while waiting for USCIS to act on their cases.
Immigrant rights organizations argued that the policies unfairly punished individuals who had followed legal immigration procedures and complied with all USCIS requirements.
Processing Delays Likely to Continue
Although the court ordered USCIS to immediately resume adjudications, immigration attorneys caution that applicants should not expect instant decisions.
USCIS now faces the challenge of addressing a massive backlog created by months of suspended processing. Experts expect delays to continue as the agency works through thousands of frozen files and pending applications.
Applicants are encouraged to monitor their USCIS accounts regularly and consult qualified immigration attorneys regarding the status of their cases.
Could the Decision Be Appealed?
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet announced whether it will appeal the ruling. However, legal observers expect the administration to seek review from a higher federal court or request an emergency stay in an effort to preserve some or all of the restrictions.
Until a higher court intervenes, Judge McConnell’s order remains in effect nationwide.
A Significant Development for the Kenyan Diaspora
For Kenyans living in the United States, the ruling represents one of the most significant immigration court decisions of 2026. It restores access to immigration benefits that had been stalled for months and reopens pathways toward permanent residency, employment authorization, asylum protection, and U.S. citizenship.
While the legal battle may continue through the appeals process, the decision provides renewed hope for thousands of Kenyan families whose immigration futures had been placed on hold.
As USCIS begins processing previously frozen applications, many immigrants will be watching closely to see how quickly the agency implements the court’s order and whether additional legal challenges emerge in the coming weeks.
