LOS ANGELES – A federal judge on Thursday blocked a Trump administration rule about to take effect that would have put up new roadblocks for asylum-seekers convicted of a variety of crimes.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco said the rule “sweeps too broadly” and was unnecessary because current federal law already includes a host of disqualifying crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering and counterfeiting.
Pangea Legal Services, a legal service provider for immigrants, and other non-profits sued after the rule was announced last month by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Justice. It was set to take effect Friday. The judge issued a temporary restraining order without an expiration date..