ICE Guidance Making It Easier to Deport Victims of Crime Paused

The Trump administration’s policy narrowing the protections offered to immigrants petitioning for visas based on being victims of crimes was halted by a federal judge, who also certified a class of immigrants detained by ICE who have these visas pending.

Judge Andre Birotte Jr. of the US District Court for the Central District of California stayed guidance issued in 2025 by the administration, which superseded a prior requirement that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement refrain from pursuing removal of people with pending Violence Against Women Act petitions, U visas, or T visas, the judge said.

Some 600,000 people are awaiting adjudication under petitions for these visas, according to the opinion.

These visas are intended to enable victims of some crimes to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute the crimes without fear of retaliation based on their immigration status.

Birotte certified on Wednesday three classes to whom the stay applies, including all individuals with pending U visas, T visas, or VAWA petitions who are detained by ICE, those who are in a period of deferred action under these petitions, and all individuals who request a stay of removal and have these pending visa petitions, who have been detained since Jan. 30, 2025.

The case is Immigration Center for Women and Children v. Noem, C.D. Cal., No. 25-09848, Order 5/20/26.