A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked several immigration policies implemented by Donald Trump's administration, considering that they left thousands of immigrants in an “indeterminate legal limbo” and affected processes established by law.

The decision was issued by federal judge John J. McConnell Jr., who in a 135-page opinion concluded that the actions taken by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) improperly restricted access to immigration benefits for people who followed established legal procedures.

According to the ruling, the policies included the suspension of asylum applications and the paralysis of immigration procedures presented by people from countries subject to travel restrictions imposed by the federal government.

“More than six months later, many of those people remain out of work, without legal status, and without any real ability to plan for their future,” McConnell wrote in his resolution.

Thousands of cases were frozen

The measures were announced after federal authorities reported a criminal case involving an Afghan citizen in Washington. However, the judge determined that the administration's response led to restrictions that affected large groups of immigrants who were unrelated to that incident.

The suspension of processes prevented numerous applicants from obtaining work permits, permanent residence, US citizenship and other immigration benefits.

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