US court strikes down Trump visa ban for 75 countries

A U.S. district court judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that halted visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled the policy unlawful, stating it overstepped the administration's authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The policy, implemented under a broader directive in November, aimed to tighten rules for potential immigrants deemed likely to require public assistance. The State Department had cited data suggesting over 30% of households from these nations received some form of public aid. However, Judge Vargas found that the policy's categorical ban on visa issuance based on nationality was illegal.

"This policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based on the applicant's country of nationality, represents a direct violation of this statutory provision," Vargas wrote. She further noted that the policy undermined Congress's intent to grant consular officers the discretion to approve or deny visas based on specific legal criteria. The ruling effectively restores the previous authority of consular officers in visa application reviews.

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The policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based on the applicant's country of nationality, represents a direct violation of this statutory provision.