US Judge Orders USCIS to Resume Frozen Immigration Cases for 39 Countries

In a significant development affecting immigrants from 39 countries, a United States immigration judge has ordered the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to restart processing previously frozen immigration cases. This decision, announced on September 9, 2026, could have a profound impact on immigrants, including those from African nations such as Kenya, residing in the United States.

The court ruling mandates that USCIS resume consideration of immigration applications that had been put on hold, affecting thousands of applicants worldwide. The initial freeze was a result of administrative backlogs and policy changes that had stalled the processing of applications from these countries.

The decision is expected to alleviate the prolonged waiting periods faced by many immigrants who have been eager to advance their immigration status in the U.S. The frozen cases included a variety of application types, from green card petitions to work permits, impacting a diverse group of individuals seeking to establish or maintain their legal status in the country.

While the specific reasons for the freeze were not detailed in the court's order, it is believed that the backlog was exacerbated by policy shifts and staffing challenges within the USCIS. The resumption of these cases is seen as a positive step toward addressing the delays and uncertainties faced by affected immigrants.

This development comes amid ongoing discussions about U.S. immigration policy under the administration of President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated for his second term in January 2025. Immigration advocates have long called for more efficient processing of immigration cases, highlighting the detrimental effects of prolonged delays on families and individuals.

Although the court's order applies broadly to 39 countries, the specific impact on Kenyan immigrants remains to be seen as the USCIS works to implement the judge's directive. The order could potentially lead to the resolution of many pending cases, offering a glimmer of hope to those who have faced uncertainty in their immigration journeys.

The USCIS has not yet released a detailed timeline for the resumption of case processing, but affected applicants are advised to monitor communications from the agency for updates on their specific cases. Legal experts suggest that the ruling underscores the importance of continued advocacy and legal support for immigrants navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration laws.