Federal court strikes down Trump administration’s 75-country visa suspension

A federal judge in the Southern District of New York has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries. The decision, issued on Friday, represents a significant legal challenge to the executive branch’s recent immigration measures.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the policy was "contrary to law" and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his statutory authority in issuing the directive. The ruling specifically addresses the suspension of visas for applicants seeking to settle in the United States indefinitely.

The policy, which came into force in January, targeted nationals from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen. At the time of implementation, the State Department justified the ban as a measure to ensure that immigrants from "high-risk countries" did not unlawfully utilise welfare or become a public charge.

However, Judge Vargas determined that consular officers were wrongly ordered to refuse visas based solely on an applicant's country of origin, even when the applicant was otherwise qualified. The ruling vacates any visa denials that were based exclusively on this policy, effectively restoring the status of those affected.

The decision is viewed as a setback to President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown. Trump campaigned on a promise to expel millions of undocumented migrants and has implemented various actions since returning to the White House to speed up deportations and reduce border crossings.

While the ruling provides immediate relief to affected applicants, the government retains the right to appeal the decision. The outcome of any potential appeal remains uncertain, with no specific timeline detailed for higher court review.