A sweeping US government ban on immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries has been struck down, after a federal judge ruled the policy unlawful and beyond the authority of the State Department. Please confirm all political information with a trusted, up‑to‑date source.
In a decision handed down in the Southern District of New York, Judge Jeannette Vargas declared the visa suspension “contrary to law,” finding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his statutory powers when implementing the ban in January.
The policy halted the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of dozens of nations including Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand and Yemen on the grounds that migrants from “high‑risk countries” might unlawfully access welfare or become a public charge. Consular officers were instructed to refuse visas solely based on an applicant’s nationality, even when the applicant met all other legal requirements.
Judge Vargas rejected that approach, ruling that the government cannot deny visas solely because of a person’s country of origin. Her order vacates any visa refusal issued under the policy.
The ruling marks a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown. Since returning to the White House, Trump has pushed aggressive measures aimed at accelerating deportations and reducing border crossings central promises of his campaign.
The government retains the option to appeal the decision.
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