A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to continue accepting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications, dealing a major blow to the administration as it attempts to wind down the program.

U.S. District Judge John Bates, a George W. Bush appointee, became the third federal judge to reject President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE’s explanation for ending the program, ruling that the decision by the Justice Department that the program was unlawful was “virtually unexplained.”

Trump rescinded DACA in September, giving Congress six months to pass legislation in its place.

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Bates ordered the administration to continue DACA, which gives protections to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

Bates also ordered the administration to accept new applications, a first in the ongoing legal battles over the decision.

Bates stayed the ruling for 90 days to give the administration time to come up with a better explanation for ending the program.

Two other judges have issued similar rulings, but have only ruled that the program should be allowed to continue while litigation plays out.