Vol. CXXXII · No. CLXXXIFRIDAY, JULY 10, 2026Ocean State Edition

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181 articles · page 5 of 16
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Federal Judge Demands Trump Administration Resume Asylum Processing in Rhode Island

US District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ordered the Trump administration to immediately comply with his June 5 ruling that struck down policies halting asylum, green cards, and work permits for immigrants from 39 countries. McConnell gave the government 24 hours to report compliance steps, finding that federal authorities continued to withhold immigration benefits six days after his order vacating the policies as unlawful and arbitrary. The judge rejected pretextual national security concerns masking anti-immigrant sentiments.

bostonglobe.comJUN 13, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Rhode Island Federal Judge Vacates Four Trump Immigration Policies as Unlawful

US District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. issued a 135-page ruling vacating four USCIS policies that suspended asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship applications for nationals from 39 countries. McConnell found the policies 'contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious,' rejecting pretextual national security concerns and calling out 'anti-immigrant animus.' The ruling affects thousands of immigrants placed in 'indeterminate legal limbo' by policies enacted after a November 2025 incident involving an Afghan national.

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© 2026 RI Capitol · All rights reserved.Aggregated summaries linking out to original sources. XPoLL.
wpri.comJUN 13, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

Federal Judge Refers DOJ Lawyers for Discipline in Transgender Youth Records Case

US District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy referred Justice Department attorneys to disciplinary proceedings for making 'false representations' in a case involving medical records of transgender children at Rhode Island Hospital. McElroy slammed DOJ lawyers for misleading a Texas judge about communications with the hospital before seeking an order to turn over private medical records, including names, of minors treated for gender dysphoria. The judge called DOJ's tactics 'unsettling' and quashed the subpoena as a 'fishing expedition' issued in 'bad faith.'

bostonglobe.comJUN 13, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal Judge Strikes Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee as Exceeding Executive Authority

US District Court Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston ruled the Trump administration exceeded its authority in imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, siding with 20 states including Rhode Island. Sorokin found the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act and that 'the executive branch exceeded its authority' by imposing a tax without congressional delegation. The ruling contradicts an earlier federal court decision upholding the fee, creating potential circuit splits.

wpri.comJUN 13, 2026
JudiciaryGovernanceFree press

Superior Court Judge Appoints Special Master in Washington Bridge Lawsuit Discovery Dispute

RI Superior Court Judge Brian Stern appointed retired Associate Justice Netti Vogel as special master to resolve discovery disputes in the state's lawsuit against Washington Bridge contractors. The appointment addresses ongoing battles over document production, including contractors' requests for communications involving Gov. McKee and Deputy Chief of Staff T. Joseph Almond related to the bridge failure. Stern cited the litigation's complexity and the need to meet the September 17 discovery deadline.

turnto10.comJUN 13, 2026
JudiciaryGovernancePaywall

RI House Approves Clergy Abuse Statute of Limitations Revival Bill 68-4

The Rhode Island House voted 68-4 to approve legislation opening a two-year 'revival window' for previously expired civil claims against institutions responsible for childhood sexual abuse. House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Carol Hagan McEntee, who has sponsored versions since 2018, delivered an emotional speech declaring 'your right to seek justice does not have an expiration date.' The Senate unanimously approved an amended version June 4 after years of killing similar bills.

bostonglobe.comJUN 13, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryFree press

McKee signs clergy sex abuse bill allowing victims to sue Catholic Church and institutions

Gov. Dan McKee signed legislation June 11 creating a two-year revival window for victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue institutions and individuals for damages. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. Mark McKenney, extends the statute of limitations retroactively up to 35 years. The General Assembly passed an amended version addressing constitutionality concerns, preserving prior court judgments while establishing a process for calculating prejudgment interest in revived claims.

wpri.comJUN 13, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryPaywall

House passes bill allowing expungement of up to four felonies after lengthy debate

The Rhode Island House approved legislation on June 9 permitting individuals to expunge up to four felony convictions from public records. The bill increases waiting periods to 15 years for multiple felonies and expands the list of non-expungeable crimes. The measure passed 61-12 after failed amendments to shorten waiting times and remove certain crimes like child neglect from the ineligible list.

providencejournal.comJUN 10, 2026
GovernanceJudiciaryPaywall

Legislature passes clergy sex abuse bill opening lawsuit window for Catholic Church

Rhode Island lawmakers approved legislation allowing victims of clergy sex abuse to file civil lawsuits against the Catholic Church for previously time-barred claims. The bill creates a two-year window for survivors to sue institutions that enabled or concealed abuse. The House passed the measure 68-4 on June 8, following unanimous Senate approval, and it now heads to Gov. McKee for signature.

providencejournal.comJUN 10, 2026
JudiciaryPaywall

US District Court in RI strikes down Trump immigration freeze for 39 countries

US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. ruled that Trump administration policies halting asylum applications, work permits, and green cards for immigrants from 39 nations were unlawful. In a 135-page opinion, the judge found the policies threw countless immigrants into "indeterminate legal limbo" and were motivated by "anti-immigrant sentiments," not legitimate national security concerns. The decision vacated the policies and affirmed constitutional due process rights for affected immigrants.

bostonglobe.comJUN 7, 2026
JudiciaryFree press

Federal judge rebukes DOJ lawyers in RI transgender care investigation

US District Judge Mary McElroy referred Justice Department lawyers for possible discipline over their handling of a transgender youth care investigation at Rhode Island Hospital. The judge previously quashed an administrative subpoena seeking sensitive medical records, finding DOJ lawyers misled the court and withheld information. In her May ruling, McElroy wrote that the Justice Department "has proven unworthy of trust" and accused lawyers of "misrepresenting facts under oath."

cbsnews.comJUN 7, 2026
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