US Court Denies Legal Fees to Groups Challenging Trump Immigration Rules

Washington DC. A federal court in Manhattan, USA has rejected the demand for payment of legal fees amounting to approximately 1.4 million US dollars by rights groups that successfully challenged the immigration rules implemented during former President Donald Trump's first term.

Federal District Judge George Daniels stated in Wednesday's decision that groups including 'Make the Road New York' were not eligible as winning parties under the federal Equal Access to Justice Act. This decision is seen as a major financial blow to rights organizations that fought against Trump-era immigration policies.

The law provides for the reimbursement of limited legal expenses for individuals and small organizations in cases against the federal government under certain special circumstances. These rights groups had filed a lawsuit in court against the 'Public Charge' immigration rule implemented by the Trump administration.

The rule made it difficult for some immigrants who were likely to receive government assistance to obtain permanent residency permits, Green Cards. After the groups achieved success in court against the rule, they demanded to recover approximately 1.4 million US dollars in legal fees from the government.

However, Judge Daniels concluded that their legal victory was not final and permanent, and therefore, the legal basis for receiving fees was insufficient.