Federal judge vacates Trump policy that suspended processing of immigration visas from 75 countries

A federal judge in New York has vacated a Trump administration policy that suspended the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled the policy was "contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority," stating Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his authority. The judge found the policy mandated visa refusals without legal basis and undermined consular officers' statutory discretion in visa decisions. The policy, which targeted nationals deemed likely to require public assistance, was challenged by nonprofit organizations and individuals. The ruling is the latest instance of courts overturning Trump's immigration policies.

A US District Judge in Manhattan has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance for applicants from 75 countries. The judge ruled on Friday that the policy, announced by the State Department in January, was "patently unlawful" and exceeded the statutory authority of the Secretary of State. The policy had broadly prohibited immigrant visas based on an applicant's nationality, affecting individuals from Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. The State Department had cited concerns about applicants becoming a public charge as justification for the suspension. The judge determined this categorical ban conflicted with federal immigration law.

A federal judge in Manhattan has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries. Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled on Friday that the State Department's policy exceeded the Secretary of State's statutory authority and conflicted with federal immigration law. The policy, which took effect in January, broadly prohibited visa issuance based on nationality, affecting applicants from numerous countries in Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Immigrant rights groups and visa applicants had filed a lawsuit challenging the suspension, arguing it was unlawful. The State Department had justified the ban by stating these countries posed a high risk for applicants becoming a public charge.