In the ongoing war between the Trump administration and the rule of law, Rhode Island-based U.S. District Judge John McConnell vacated a number of dreadful immigration policies decreed by Trump in November 2025. These included prohibiting any immigration application for those from 39 travel ban countries, halting the ability to get green cards, ending the processing of asylum claims from any country, and insisting on a review of all immigration benefits bestowed to those from the 39 travel ban countries under former President Biden.

While flouting the well-established right of Congress to govern immigration policy, these executive proclamations have had dire effects on many immigrant communities. They impede access to green cards for legal residence as well as naturalization ceremonies for those who have completed the requirements to become U.S. citizens. Many have been unable to immigrate or to claim their rights to asylum under international law.

In stinging remarks, the judge said: “In ruling on these motions, the Court is reminded of a line often repeated in discussions around immigration policy: If people wish to immigrate to the United States, they ought to ‘follow the law’ and ‘do things the right way.’ This case serves as a perfect example of immigrants doing just that. But the rule of law has to apply to everyone equally and, as evident here, USCIS has neither ‘followed the law’ nor ‘done things the right way.’ Indeed, the agency has violated the very immigration laws that Congress has charged it with administering.”

(Taken from an email sent to me by Never Again Action.)