Indian-Origin Judge Halts Trump’s Immigration Move, Protects Lakhs of Migrants

U.S. (The Uttam Hindu): In a major setback to the Donald Trump administration, Indian-origin US District Judge Indira Talwani has stayed the decision to revoke legal protection for thousands of immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The ruling, issued from a federal court in Boston, comes as a major relief for lakhs of migrants who were granted temporary protection status by the Biden administration.

Judge Talwani strongly criticized the Trump-era decision, calling it a misinterpretation of immigration laws. She clarified that while illegal border crossers can be deported, those who were already granted a two-year reprieve under government provisions cannot be stripped of their status retroactively. According to her, the Trump administration was unfairly targeting immigrants who had complied with legal norms and were residing in the U.S. lawfully.

This judgment signals a fresh legal clash between the Trump camp and the American judiciary, as Trump attempts to undo policies laid out during Biden's term. The blocked decision aimed to reverse protections extended to immigrants from several crisis-hit nations, including Afghanistan and Ukraine. With this ruling, the court has upheld the principle of honoring previously granted legal status and reinforced the distinction between lawful and unlawful immigration.