Trump administration suffers double legal setback over immigration policy

Key Points:

• A US federal judge blocked the Trump administration's proposed fixed time limits on visas for international students (F visas), exchange visitors (J visas), and journalists (I visas), citing weak justification and potential catastrophic harm to higher education and the economy.
• The judge issued an injunction against the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) plan to cap F visas at four years and limit I visas to 240 days, affecting about 1.6 million international students and 500,000 exchange visitors.
• A coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia, along with six cities and counties, filed lawsuits to block a DHS regulation that would expand the "public charge" rule, allowing immigration officers to deny green cards to applicants using non-cash public benefits like food assistance and Medicaid.
• The lawsuits argue the administration exceeded its authority by bypassing Congress and unlawfully penalizing lawful use of public benefits, while DHS defends the rule as necessary and accuses opponents of fearing loss of federal funds.
• Critics, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, contend the rule would discourage immigrant families from accessing essential support programs that have long helped keep them healthy and fed.