A US federal judge has struck down the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, ruling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his legal authority when the State Department introduced the nationality-based restrictions.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan issued the ruling Friday, August 21, saying the policy conflicted with federal immigration law. The decision came in a lawsuit brought by immigrant rights groups, immigrant visa applicants and US citizens sponsoring family members from affected countries.
The State Department introduced the suspension in January, blocking the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries. The administration had argued that people from those countries were at a higher risk of becoming a “public charge” and relying on government resources in the United States.
Vargas, a Biden appointee, described the policy as “patently unlawful” and said it improperly gave the secretary of state authority over consular officers' processing of immigrant visas.
“The Policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme,” Vargas wrote in her ruling, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit was filed by the Catholic Legal Immigration Network and African Communities Together, along with immigrant visa applicants and US citizens seeking to sponsor relatives from countries covered by the suspension.
The groups challenged the administration's decision to halt immigrant visa issuance based on nationality rather than individual circumstances.
The January suspension covered countries across several regions, including Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Among the South Asian countries affected were Pakistan and Bangladesh, Reuters reported.
The State Department had defended the policy by saying applicants from the designated countries were considered to be at high risk of becoming dependent on public assistance in the US.
The department had not immediately commented on Vargas' ruling, according to Reuters.
The ruling represents another legal setback for the Trump administration's broader immigration agenda, which has faced challenges in federal courts over several policies.
The case also highlights the continuing legal battle over how much authority the executive branch has to restrict immigration based on nationality.
Trump has made immigration enforcement and tighter controls on entry a central part of his administration's policy. His administration has argued that tougher immigration measures are necessary to protect national security and reduce pressure on government resources.
Immigrant rights groups, however, have argued that several elements of the crackdown violate constitutional protections and due process.
For applicants from the countries covered by the January policy, the immediate impact of the ruling will depend on how the State Department responds and whether the administration seeks to appeal the decision.
The case does not amount to a blanket change to all US visa categories. It specifically concerns the policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of the 75 designated countries.
Asmi is a digital content producer covering international affairs, technology, business, and trending news. She writes and edits digital-first stories with a focus on delivering timely, accurate, and engaging coverage for online audiences. She produces news across a wide range of topics, combining strong editorial judgment with audience insights to make complex developments accessible and relevant. Her work includes breaking news, explainers, and feature stories, with an emphasis on clarity, verification, and speed in a fast-paced digital newsroom. She is particularly interested in global politics, emerging technologies, media, and internet culture, and enjoys translating complex developments into reader-friendly stories. Asmi holds a master's degree in English and has a strong foundation in research, editing, and digital publishing. Her published work reflects a commitment to factual reporting, accessible storytelling, and audience-centric journalism. She continues to explore evolving trends in digital news and multimedia storytelling while contributing to coverage that informs and engages readers.Read More
