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Federal Judge Vacates Trump Policy Suspending Visas from 75 Countries
🇺🇸 United States /Crime & Justice

Federal Judge Vacates Trump Policy Suspending Visas from 75 Countries

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A federal judge in New York has overturned a Trump administration policy that suspended visa processing for nationals of 75 countries.
  • The policy, deemed "contrary to law," disproportionately affected individuals from countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.
  • The judge ruled that the Secretary of State exceeded his authority and that visa decisions should remain with consular officers based on specific criteria.

A federal judge in New York has vacated a controversial Trump-era policy that halted the processing of immigration visas for individuals from 75 countries. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled Friday that the policy, which targeted nationals deemed likely to require public assistance, was "contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority."

We welcome this ruling because, at its heart, this case is about keeping families together.

— Anna GallagherExecutive director of CLINIC, a plaintiff organization, on the significance of the ruling.

The policy, implemented by the Trump administration, suspended visa processing for citizens of nations including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. Judge Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, found that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had overstepped his authority. The judge stated the policy "runs afoul" of the Immigration and Nationality Act by mandating visa refusals without legal basis.

This decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward reunification.

— Anna GallagherCommenting on the ruling's impact on families and legal principles.

In her ruling, Judge Vargas emphasized that the policy undermined a key congressional requirement: placing consular officers at the forefront of visa decision-making. She wrote that Congress granted these officers "exclusive authority and discretion" to determine visa eligibility based on statutory criteria. The judge concluded that the policy's categorical prohibition on immigrant visas based solely on nationality represented a "direct abrogation of this statutory scheme."

This unlawful and racist ban caused immeasurable harm, cruelly keeping families and loved ones apart.

— Diana KonateDeputy executive director for policy and advocacy at African Communities Together, another plaintiff.

The lawsuit challenging the policy was brought forth by two nonprofit organizations and eleven individuals. Among the plaintiffs were six individuals whose family members had been denied visas and five others seeking entry through employment-based petitions. Advocates, including Anna Gallagher of CLINIC, welcomed the decision, highlighting its importance in keeping families together and affirming the rule of law. Diana Konate of African Communities Together called the ruling a "tremendous victory for the rule of law," denouncing the ban as "unlawful and racist."

Today, we are elated to tell our community members: this ban is no more.

— Diana KonateExpressing relief and celebration over the vacated ban.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by PBS NewsHour in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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