Federal and state courts are issuing decisions with significant consequences. Here are some recent highlights: 

• Even after voters approved a redistricted congressional map in Virginia, the map is being challenged in state court. Richmond Circuit Court Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland denied a request from the Republican National Committee and Virginia Republicans to block the results of the referendum contending that it violates the state’s constitution. The issue rests in the hands of the Virginia Supreme Court which has delayed the certification of the referendum results for now. 

• A three-judge panel of the US Circuit Court for the District of Columbia Circuit blocked the Trump executive order which suspends asylum at the US southern border. The panel, made up of Biden-nominee Judge Michelle Childs and Obama-nominee Cornelia Pillard, and dissenter Judge Justin Walker (Trump nominee), ruled that the Immigration and Naturalization Act did not authorize a president to suspend asylum seekers rights. 

• Obama-nominated Judge George Russell III of the District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the administration must end the pause on green card applications for 83 immigrants from countries on the current travel ban list, saying that USCIS does not have the prerogative to decide to pause consideration of these applications.