Judge blocks Trump-era rule halting immigrant visas for 75 countries
A Manhattan federal judge declared the Trump administration's policy that paused immigrant visa issuance for 75 nations unlawful.
On August 21, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan struck down a policy that halted the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, finding it exceeded the statutory powers of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The rule, announced by the State Department in January, barred visas based solely on nationality and targeted applicants from Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean, citing a perceived high risk of public charge.
Vargas described the measure as “patently unlawful” and contrary to federal immigration law, which limits the secretary’s authority over consular officers. The ruling follows a lawsuit brought by Catholic Legal Immigration Network, African Communities Together, affected visa applicants and U.S. citizens sponsoring family members. The State Department has not yet commented on the judgment. The case reflects ongoing legal challenges to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration restrictions.
Why it matters
The decision restores visa access for thousands of families and limits executive overreach in U.S. immigration policy.
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