A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expedite the employment authorization process for an Iranian physician, Nazanin Yazdan Pouri, who has been adversely affected by recent immigration policy changes. The decision comes as a relief to Pouri, who is set to begin her family medicine residency program at Eastern Virginia Medical School on June 10, 2026, but has been unable to obtain necessary employment authorization due to an indefinite suspension of benefit applications for noncitizens from certain countries.
Pouri, who lawfully resides in Norfolk, Virginia, applied for permanent residency and employment authorization in November 2025. However, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) suspended the adjudication of applications from nationals of 39 countries, including Iran, as part of a broader policy aimed at national security. The court's ruling is significant as it highlights the impact of immigration policies on individuals seeking to contribute to the U.S. workforce, particularly in critical fields like healthcare.
Background
The case, Yazdan Pouri v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia under Civil Action No. 2026-1339. Nazanin Yazdan Pouri is an Iranian physician who has been living in the United States as a derivative beneficiary of her husband's student visa. After being accepted into a residency program, she applied for permanent residency and employment authorization, which are crucial for her to begin her medical career in the U.S.
In June 2025, the President issued Presidential Proclamation 10949, restricting the entry of noncitizens from 19 countries, including Iran. This was followed by a policy memorandum from USCIS in December 2025, which mandated a hold on all benefit requests from nationals of countries listed in the proclamation. The policy was expanded in January 2026 to include individuals from 39 countries, further complicating the immigration landscape for many.
Pouri's situation became urgent as she faced the possibility of losing her residency if her employment authorization was not granted by the start of her residency program. She sought a preliminary injunction from the court to compel USCIS to adjudicate her application within seven days, citing the significant personal and professional ramifications of the delay.
The Ruling
Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of Pouri, granting her motion for a preliminary injunction. The court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss or transfer the case, affirming its jurisdiction over the matter. Judge Chutkan stated, "The court is satisfied that it has subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s challenge to the policy memos," emphasizing that the case does not involve a discretionary decision by USCIS but rather a challenge to the agency's policy of withholding action on applications.
The ruling underscored the court's view that the indefinite suspension of application processing was arbitrary and capricious, particularly given the lack of a sufficient explanation from USCIS regarding how withholding employment authorization contributes to national security. The judge noted that "the agency must articulate a satisfactory explanation for its action including a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made."
Impact
This ruling is expected to have significant implications for not only Pouri but also other individuals affected by similar immigration policies. The court's decision reinforces the notion that federal agencies must provide clear and reasonable justifications for their policies, especially when those policies have far-reaching effects on individuals' lives and careers.
The ruling also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by noncitizens from countries with heightened scrutiny under U.S. immigration policies. It sets a precedent that may encourage other affected individuals to seek judicial review of delayed immigration applications, potentially leading to more scrutiny of agency practices in the future. The court's emphasis on the need for timely adjudication of immigration applications aligns with broader calls for reform in the immigration system, particularly concerning the rights of individuals seeking to work and live in the U.S.
What's Next
Following the court's ruling, it is expected that USCIS will move quickly to comply with the injunction and adjudicate Pouri's employment authorization application. While the defendants may seek to appeal the decision, the court's clear stance on the necessity for timely action and the unreasonableness of the current policy could make it challenging for them to successfully contest the ruling. Details regarding any potential appeals or related cases were not available in the court filing.