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By Olami, AbroadPilot · Reviewed September 2026
A federal court has delivered major relief to immigrants from Africa and beyond. On June 5, 2026, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to resume asylum applications and other frozen immigration processing that had stalled the lives of people from 39 countries.
The decision came from Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. In a detailed 135-page ruling, he struck down the broad freeze on asylum, green cards, work permits, and citizenship applications.
For Nigerians and other Africans with pending US cases, this was welcome news. The ruling means previously blocked applications can move forward again. The government may still appeal, but the court was clear that the policies were unlawful.
This guide explains what the ruling covers, who is affected, and what you should do next — in simple, calm terms.
What the Judge Actually Ruled
In the case Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island v. USCIS, Judge McConnell issued a 135-page opinion that carefully examined the Trump administration’s actions.
He found the policies were “arbitrary and capricious” and “contrary to law.” The judge ruled that USCIS had exceeded its legal authority and violated both federal immigration and administrative law.
Importantly, he also said the rules were discriminatory based on country of origin. This was a key part of the Trump asylum ban that the court blocked.
The ruling struck down several measures:
- The expanded travel ban that took effect on January 1, 2026, freezing processing for 39 countries
- The broad freeze on immigration benefits processing
- The global hold on asylum adjudications
- Country-specific second-round reviews for already-approved applicants who entered after 2021
Judge McConnell wrote that the administration had “placed the lives of countless individuals on hold — solely by virtue of their countries of birth.” He added that the policies made it “impossible for a large group of people to remain in the country.”
Background: How Did We Get Here?
To understand this court ruling on the immigration ban, it helps to follow the timeline.
In November 2025, USCIS indefinitely suspended asylum adjudications and froze immigration applications. This followed a tragic event in which an Afghan national shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
On December 16, 2025, President Trump expanded the travel ban to cover 39 countries. The expanded ban was set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The freeze affected hundreds of thousands of applicants. Asylum seekers, green card holders, and work permit applicants were all left waiting with no clear timeline.
Then on June 5, 2026, the McConnell ruling brought that freeze to an end. The court ordered USCIS to resume processing.
The 39 Countries: Are You Affected?
The ruling on the 39-country ban covered two types of restrictions. Some countries faced a full suspension, while others faced a partial suspension.
Check the table below to see where your country stood before the ruling.
| 🔴 Full Suspension (all entry types blocked) | 🟡 Partial Suspension (most categories restricted) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Angola |
| Burkina Faso | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Burma (Myanmar) | Benin |
| Chad | Burundi |
| Republic of the Congo | Cote d’Ivoire |
| Equatorial Guinea | Cuba |
| Eritrea | Dominica |
| Haiti | Gabon |
| Iran | The Gambia |
| Laos | Malawi |
| Libya | Mauritania |
| Mali | Nigeria |
| Niger | Senegal |
| Sierra Leone | Tanzania |
| Somalia | Togo |
| South Sudan | Tonga |
| Sudan | Turkmenistan |
| Syria | Venezuela |
| Yemen | Zambia |
| Zimbabwe |
Nigeria was placed under partial suspension. This matters greatly for our readers, because Nigeria is the most heavily impacted country in terms of visa volume.
Nigerians receive about 128,000 immigrant and nonimmigrant US visas each year — nearly the highest of any African nation. We explain Nigeria’s situation in more detail further below.
What Can Resume Now: A Practical Guide
The ruling allows several types of applications to move forward again. Here is what USCIS now resumes processing.
Asylum applications
Asylum cases that were on hold can now be adjudicated again. If your asylum claim was frozen, it should re-enter the processing queue.
Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
Work permit applications can resume. This matters for people who depend on an EAD to legally work while their main case is pending. If you are unsure about work rules, read our guide on can I work on a tourist visa.
Green card applications
Both family-based and employment-based green card applications that were frozen can move forward. Already-approved applicants are no longer subject to the second-round review requirement.
Citizenship and naturalization
Naturalization and citizenship applications can also resume. People close to becoming US citizens were among those affected by the freeze.
In short, the immigration benefit requests that were previously frozen should now be processed under normal rules.
What This Means Specifically for Nigerian Applicants
Nigeria stands out in this ruling because of its high visa volume. With around 128,000 US visas issued to Nigerians yearly, the freeze touched a large number of families and professionals.
Under the partial suspension, most visa categories for Nigerians were restricted. Many applicants saw their cases paused with no firm date for resumption.
Now, with the freeze struck down, Nigerian applicants for asylum, green cards, work permits, and citizenship can expect their cases to move again.
If you have a pending case, keep your documents updated and watch for notices from USCIS. You can verify the latest official guidance directly through USCIS and the US visa portal.
Some Nigerians may also be weighing other destinations. If so, our UK visa guide and Canada visa guide can help you compare options.
Reactions: What Both Sides Said
The ruling drew strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
Judge McConnell was firm in his language. He wrote that the administration had “placed the lives of countless individuals on hold — solely by virtue of their countries of birth.”
On the other side, DHS General Counsel James Percival pushed back. He said, “The Left has been running the same gambit… sabotage dressed in legal clothing.”
The Dorcas International Institute, which brought the case, welcomed the outcome. Its CEO said, “Having the judicial process work as intended… gives us reassurance that all is not lost.”
Advocacy groups across the country praised the decision. The Department of Homeland Security signalled that it intends to challenge the ruling.
What Happens Next?
This is an important question. While the ruling is a major win, it is not necessarily the final word.
The Trump administration is expected to appeal the decision. An appeal could change the timeline, so applicants should stay informed.
There are also separate lawsuits still pending. These challenge the visa processing suspension for 75 countries and are moving through courts in New York and Washington, D.C.
For now, the McConnell ruling stands and USCIS has been ordered to resume processing. We will continue to track any updates closely.
What Should You Do Now?
Here are practical steps for affected applicants:
- Confirm your case status. Log into your USCIS account and check for new notices.
- Keep documents current. Make sure your passport, photos, and supporting papers are up to date.
- Respond quickly to requests. If USCIS asks for more information, reply within the deadline.
- Watch official sources only. Rely on the USCIS website and US visa portal rather than rumours.
- Consider professional advice. If your case is complex, speak with a licensed immigration attorney.
- Nigerian travellers can also check the Nigeria Immigration Service for passport and travel updates.
Stay calm and organised. The legal process is working, and your case has a path forward again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did a judge really order Trump to resume asylum applications?
Yes. On June 5, 2026, Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell Jr. ruled that the freeze on asylum and other immigration processing was unlawful, and he ordered USCIS to resume processing.
Is Nigeria affected by this ruling?
Yes. Nigeria was under partial suspension, which restricted most visa categories. With the freeze struck down, Nigerian asylum, green card, work permit, and citizenship cases can move forward again.
What applications can resume now?
Asylum applications, Employment Authorization Documents, green card applications, and citizenship or naturalization applications can all resume, along with other immigration benefit requests that were frozen.
Will the Trump administration appeal this ruling?
Yes, the administration is expected to appeal. The Department of Homeland Security has signalled its intent to challenge the decision, so applicants should stay updated through official sources.
How can I check my case status safely?
Use your USCIS online account and the official USCIS and US visa portal websites. Avoid relying on unofficial sources or rumours about your case.
Conclusion
This ruling brings real relief to thousands of applicants from Africa and beyond. A federal judge has ordered USCIS to resume the asylum and immigration processing that had been frozen since late 2025.
An appeal may still follow, but for now the court’s message is clear: the freeze was unlawful, and your case can move forward again.
Keep your documents ready, follow official updates, and stay calm. For more planning help, explore our UK visa guide and Canada visa guide.
Olami is the founder and lead writer at AbroadPilot. He started the site after going through the visa process himself — a German student visa in 2019 and a Canadian work permit in 2023 — and learning first-hand how confusing official immigration language can be, how often rules change, and how easy it is to lose money to bad advice. He spent three years as an international education and travel consultant, helping people source and verify the information that landed their visas and planned their trips. Every guide on AbroadPilot is built from official sources — embassy pages, government immigration portals, and .gov fee schedules — and reviewed as requirements change. AbroadPilot does not sell visas or applications; it is a free resource to help readers apply with confidence.
