Court Cancels Immigration Restrictions Based on National Origin as New Laws are Proposed

法院取消基於國籍的移民限制,同時有新法案被提出


Introduction

A federal court has cancelled several Trump administration policies that stopped immigration benefits for people from 39 countries. At the same time, new legislative efforts are attempting to limit H-1B visa options.

一家聯邦法院取消了川普政府幾項停止 39 個國家人士獲取移民福利的政策。與此同時,新的立法努力正嘗試限制 H-1B 簽證的選擇。

Main Body

In a detailed ruling, Judge John McConnell decided that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) went beyond its legal power. The agency had frozen asylum, green card, and citizenship applications for people from 39 specific nations after a shooting incident in Washington, D.C. in November 2025. The court found that the administration used national security as an excuse to hide anti-immigrant feelings, leaving many legal applicants in an uncertain position. Consequently, the judge cancelled four specific rules, including the suspension of asylum claims and the requirement to review benefits that had already been approved.

在一份詳細的裁決中,法官 John McConnell 判定美國公民及移民服務局 (USCIS) 超越了其法定權力。在 2025 年 11 月華盛頓特區發生槍擊事件後,該機構凍結了 39 個特定國家人士的庇護、綠卡和公民申請。法院發現政府以國家安全為藉口來掩蓋反移民情緒,使許多合法申請人處於不確定的局面。因此,法官取消了四項特定規則,包括暫停庇護申請以及要求重新審查已經批准的福利。

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed new rules to make it harder for people with humanitarian parole to get work permits. Furthermore, Representative Chip Roy has introduced the American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act. This bill aims to remove the path to a green card for H-1B visa holders, cancel Optional Practical Training (OPT), and reduce the maximum visa length from six years to two. Additionally, the bill would require employers to prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available and pay higher wages to foreign staff.

與此同時,國土安全部 (DHS) 提出了新規則,使持有人道主義假釋 (humanitarian parole) 的人更難獲得工作許可。此外,眾議員 Chip Roy 提出了《美國白領工人就業法案》。這項法案旨在取消 H-1B 簽證持有者獲取綠卡的途徑,取消選擇性實習訓練 (OPT),並將簽證最長期限從六年減至兩年。此外,該法案將要求雇主證明沒有合格的美國工人可用,並向外籍員工支付更高的薪資。

Responses to these changes are very different. James Percival from the DHS described the court's decision as 'sabotage,' asserting that the ruling was based on incorrect claims. On the other hand, immigrant advocacy groups emphasized that the ruling protects the principle that the government cannot block legal immigration based on a person's country of origin. Finally, the administration recently changed a memo that required green card applicants to return to their home countries after facing strong opposition from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and tech companies.

各方對這些變化的反應截然不同。國土安全部的 James Percival 將法院的決定形容為「破壞」,堅稱這次裁決是基於錯誤的指控。另一方面,移民倡議團體強調,裁決保護了一個原則,即政府不能基於一個人的原產地而封鎖合法移民。最後,在面對美國商會和科技公司的強烈反對後,政府最近修改了一份要求綠卡申請人返回原居地的備忘錄。

Conclusion

The current situation is a conflict between a court order to resume processing applications for banned nationals and new government attempts to further restrict legal migration.

目前的情況是法院要求恢復處理被禁國籍人士申請的命令,與政府試圖進一步限制合法移民的新嘗試之間的衝突。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 Level Up: Moving from 'And/But' to Professional Connectors

At the A2 level, you usually connect ideas with simple words: and, but, because, so. To reach B2, you need to use Transition Signals. These are words that tell the reader exactly how two ideas relate to each other.

🛠️ The 'B2 Logic' Toolset

Look at how this article organizes complex information. Instead of simple sentences, it uses these high-level markers:

1. Adding a stronger point (Not just 'and')

  • Furthermore \rightarrow used to add a new, important piece of information to a list.
  • Additionally \rightarrow used when adding another requirement or fact.

2. Showing a result (Not just 'so')

  • Consequently \rightarrow This signals a direct logical result. (Action \rightarrow Result)

3. Balancing opposite views (Not just 'but')

  • On the other hand \rightarrow This is the gold standard for B2 essays. It signals a shift to a completely different perspective.

🔍 Practical Analysis

Compare these two ways of saying the same thing:

A2 Style: The judge cancelled the rules. So, people can apply again. Also, the DHS wants new rules.

B2 Style: The judge cancelled four specific rules; consequently, legal applicants are no longer blocked. Furthermore, the DHS has proposed new rules to make work permits harder to get.

Notice how the B2 version feels like a professional report rather than a conversation.

💡 Pro-Tip for Growth

When you write your next paragraph, replace every "but" with "On the other hand" and every "so" with "Consequently." Your writing will instantly move from basic storytelling to academic analysis.

Vocabulary Learning

legislative (adj.)
Relating to the laws of a country or the process of making laws.
Example:The government is introducing new legislative measures to combat climate change.
suspension (n.)
The temporary stop of an activity, rule, or process.
Example:The suspension of the bus service caused many commuters to be late for work.
humanitarian (adj.)
Related to the goal of promoting human welfare and reducing suffering.
Example:The organization provided humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake.
asserting (v.)
Stating a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer continued asserting that his client was innocent despite the evidence.
advocacy (n.)
Public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.
Example:Her lifelong advocacy for children's rights earned her a national award.
opposition (n.)
A strong feeling of disapproval or a group of people who disagree with a plan.
Example:The new tax law faced strong opposition from small business owners.
restrict (v.)
To put a limit on something or keep it within certain bounds.
Example:The new regulations restrict the amount of plastic packaging companies can use.
Practice B2 words in a crossword