Providence: A federal judge in Rhode Island has blocked several immigration policies introduced by the Trump administration that had prevented many immigrants in the United States from obtaining asylum, green cards, and other legal immigration benefits.

According to Anadolu Agency, Chief Judge John McConnell of the US District Court in Rhode Island, in a 135-page ruling, concluded that the broad restrictions on legal immigration benefits were 'contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious.' One of the policies struck down by McConnell suspended immigration applications from citizens of 39 countries included in Trump's travel ban, citing national security concerns after an Afghan asylum recipient was charged with shooting two National Guard members in Washington, DC.

The measures, introduced late last year, largely prevented the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from issuing green cards, work permits, citizenship, and other benefits to nationals of the affected countries, most of them in Africa and Asia. The policies also initially froze all USCIS asylum cases regardless of nationality. In March, USCIS resumed processing most asylum applications but continued the pause for citizens of the 39 countries covered by the travel ban.

In his ruling, McConnell noted that the affected immigrants 'filed the appropriate paperwork, paid the required filing fees, submitted to the requested biometrics collections, and attended the necessary in-person interviews.' He criticized USCIS for claiming authority it does not possess, making decisions without providing reasoned explanations, ignoring the reliance interests of applicants, and justifying actions with pretextual national security concerns.