The Trump administration faced two legal challenges regarding its immigration policies. A federal judge issued an injunction against proposed visa caps for foreign students and journalists, while a coalition of Democratic-led states filed lawsuits against a regulation that would restrict green card eligibility for immigrants using public benefits.
On September 14, 2026, US District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV blocked the administration's plan to impose fixed time limits on F visas for international students and J visas for exchange visitors. The judge criticized the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) justification for the caps, stating it was 'exceptionally weak' and warned of potential economic damage.
The proposed limitations would cap F visas at four years and J visas at 240 days. Approximately 1.6 million international students and 500,000 exchange visitors could be affected by these changes.
Simultaneously, a coalition of 22 states, led by New York, California, and Illinois, filed lawsuits to prevent a DHS regulation set to take effect on September 18, 2026. This regulation would broaden the criteria for denying green cards based on public charge status, which historically assesses an applicant's likelihood of becoming dependent on government assistance.
The Trump administration's proposed changes would penalize applicants for using non-cash benefits like food assistance and Medicaid, which the previous Biden administration had not considered disqualifying. The lawsuits argue that the administration exceeded its authority by bypassing Congress in setting residency criteria.
A DHS spokesperson defended the regulation, claiming that the plaintiffs were motivated by concerns over federal funding and the potential impact on welfare programs. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the rule, stating it would deter immigrant families from accessing essential support services.