US Court Ruling Brings Relief to Kenyans Seeking Green Cards

A federal judge in the United States has ruled that immigration authorities acted unlawfully by suspending the processing of certain green card applications, ordering the practice to stop.

In a decision issued in Maryland, District Judge George L. Russell III found that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) did not have the authority to indefinitely halt applications from nationals of 39 countries affected by the expanded travel ban introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency. He said that while administrative delays may occur, the agency cannot refuse to adjudicate applications altogether. 

The ruling requires USCIS to resume processing at least 83 applications linked to the case. However, its broader impact may be significant. Advocacy organisations estimate that a large number of applications remained pending for extended periods, even though applicants had paid the required fees and met submission requirements.

For many individuals, including Kenyans living and working legally in the United States, the decision may help advance their efforts to obtain permanent residency.

The Trump administration had defended the suspension on national security grounds under the Immigration and Nationality Act, arguing that restrictions on certain countries were necessary. 

Critics argued that the policy unfairly affected individuals who had already undergone screening and were residing in the country lawfully, including those working in sectors such as healthcare, science, and technology. In his ruling, Judge Russell concluded that the broad suspension amounted to an unlawful denial of immigration benefits.

The Department of Homeland Security and USCIS have not yet confirmed whether they will challenge the decision. The ruling may influence how similar cases are handled in the future.

In a separate development, Denmark has temporarily suspended the issuance of work permits to East African nationals seeking employment in agriculture and related industries. The decision follows stricter checks on academic qualifications, which authorities say revealed irregularities in some applications. 

The measure affects roles such as farm managers, herders, and agricultural trainees, and raises questions about the balance between maintaining labour standards and allowing access to foreign employment opportunities.