Immigration Groups, Unions Sue US Over Asylum and Benefits Halt

Immigration nonprofits and trade unions sued federal immigration agencies Thursday, claiming policies halting asylum processing and immigration benefits for people from 39 countries violate federal law and constitutional protections.

The four challenged US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ policies exceed USCIS authority, were enacted without required public comment procedures, or discriminate based on race, religion, and national origin, the plaintiffs said in their complaint. They’re asking the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island to enter court orders blocking the policies and declare them unlawful.

The suing groups challenged USCIS’ “Global Asylum Hold” that stops all asylum decisions ...